1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of controversies
Kraft later said he was disappointed in how the docuseries focused on controversies instead of the team’s success.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Canceled also highlights other controversies in Deen's career, including her public spats with Bourdain, the world-traveling chef and CNN travel documentarian who later died by suicide in 2018.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
South Korean authorities repeatedly asked Google to change the location names – but Google resisted and became embroiled in several other South Korean map-labeling controversies in the following years, Ahn wrote in a paper about the topic.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, his mercurial style and public controversies, from social media firestorms to clashes with regulators, have brought volatility to Tesla’s stock and reputation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Prince Andrew has been at the center of many controversies over the course of his life.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
Ballmer was asked to comment on the numerous controversies Leonard has been involved in during his time with the Clippers.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The Baldwins have been a public lightning rod with their outspoken political views and social-media controversies.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
As is the case with most controversies, some wrestlers’ reactions were more polarizing than others.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Canceled also highlights other controversies in Deen's career, including her public spats with Bourdain, the world-traveling chef and CNN travel documentarian who later died by suicide in 2018.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
South Korean authorities repeatedly asked Google to change the location names – but Google resisted and became embroiled in several other South Korean map-labeling controversies in the following years, Ahn wrote in a paper about the topic.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, his mercurial style and public controversies, from social media firestorms to clashes with regulators, have brought volatility to Tesla’s stock and reputation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Prince Andrew has been at the center of many controversies over the course of his life.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
Ballmer was asked to comment on the numerous controversies Leonard has been involved in during his time with the Clippers.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The Baldwins have been a public lightning rod with their outspoken political views and social-media controversies.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
As is the case with most controversies, some wrestlers’ reactions were more polarizing than others.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
The 49ers have a recent history of tense contract disputes with receivers, going through one with Deebo Samuel in 2022 and Aiyuk last year.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
So far, 75 deals have been re-submitted after initially being denied, and none of the disputes has so far gone to arbitration.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Payne was then asked about a rumor floating around social media that one of his jurors had threatened to quit due to disagreements over the festival’s top prizes.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Also in 2024, at the DNA testing startup 23andMe, all seven independent directors resigned simultaneously, citing major disagreements with CEO Anne Wojcicki and her plans to take the company private.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These are the kinds of debates Evans and others behind the scenes at Leeds had to have this summer.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
South America is buzzing with debates over whether Maduro should be exiled or imprisoned.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Estelle said there appeared to be at least five fights, and because there were so many altercations in one evening numerous people were detained during the football game.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The trend has resulted in several fatal altercations in recent years.—
Jenna Sundel
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments in the federal case May 15.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Oral arguments are expected to take place in November.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But Republicans’ long-running internal fights over how to handle health insurance coverage are far from settled, and party leaders are not eager to take a firm stance.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Trump has attended several other high-profile sporting events in 2025, including Super Bowl LIX, the Daytona 500, and multiple UFC fights.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond clothing, Abrianna believes her size is what sparks so many misunderstandings.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Failure to do so may cause resentment, misunderstandings, and passive aggressively loud blender usage.—
Sarah Schmelling,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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