CONTROVERSIES Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

controversies

noun

plural of controversy

as in disputes

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in disputations

variance of opinion on a matter there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controversies In that race, Sundlun was facing multiple controversies and voter fatigue while York ran on reform. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026 The Stars and Stripes jumped out to a 19-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and held on to win by a score of 55-52, though the contest wasn't without its fair share of lead changes and controversies. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 During her time on stage, Raman described the controversies as a larger trend in the Bass administration. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Imagine a proactive, authoritative voice confronting the wide and varied controversies the WNBA has dealt with this summer. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 And the other is that paper receipts are a ~$5B business, complete with their own lobby groups and health controversies. — HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 There are several films that can start controversies or, at the very least, provoke very strong political reactions. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 Asked about the streaming event about those controversies, Bloys demurred. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 Here’s a look back at the biggest controversies in Met Gala history. — Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

Gilbertson’s involvement in the ports grew out of a series of chaotic mergers that in the 1990s led to endless disputes among shippers and the railroads about whose cargo would move first.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Trump declined to endorse Thune for a future term as leader amid disputes over passing the SAVE America Act and eliminating the filibuster.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

For example, in Ozaukee County disagreements near Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve have prompted discussion of permanent signs and a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources determination establishing the ordinary high-water mark.

— Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Between small celebrations, hospital visits and disagreements about how to care for her, a mysterious presence of bulls begins to surround the house.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

Their partnership has developed despite a history that has fueled one of the most intense debates in American sports.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
During one of their debates, Stefany Shaheen called out Sullivan, who served in the Obama administration, for supporting a plan that would keep private insurance as an option.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

On the new series, some House of Stassi castmembers raised their quarrels with Maloney joining their cast.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
Candi is the family mediator Like any father-daughter coaching dynamic, Corey and Coco have had their fair share of quarrels on the tennis court.

— Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Definition of quarrels

Noun

Yet due to geography and time zone differences, local traders face a distinct natural disadvantage compared to their counterparts in New York, namely having to wake up three hours earlier.

— , CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
The two wives soon strike up a tentative friendship as Ye-ji expresses interest in telling Ho-seok’s story — but the group dynamic grows increasingly complicated by their extreme class differences and subtly conflicting desires.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of differences

Noun

Tchouameni and Valverde were involved in two separate altercations, a day apart, in May, with the latter taken to hospital to undergo assessments after sustaining a head injury during the second incident.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers.

— Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of altercations

Noun

This, however, is the stuff of creative and useful future arguments.

— Adam Frank, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026
Kanter could raise the same basic arguments in an arbitration, but it would be conducted in private, and awards by arbitrators are difficult to challenge in court because judges are obligated to give high deference to those awards.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of arguments

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controversial

controversies

controversy

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“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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