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
Chavez-DeRemer’s departure came as several controversies were surrounding her, her office and her family members.
—
Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
The labor secretary had been the subject of multiple controversies—accused of abusing her power, having an affair with a subordinate, and drinking on the job.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Winning tends to quiet most controversies, and the Patriots are unlikely to prioritize optics over results.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Speedlin Gonzalez, who had been on the bench since 2018, had been involved in previous controversies.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2026
Firefox Won’t Force AI on You Mozilla is clearly sensitive to the controversies around AI.
—Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
To be sure, Porter’s own record of past controversies is likely a factor in preventing her from absorbing a significant share of former Swalwell backers.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Even area colleges have weathered tragedies, scandals and controversies recently.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026
Universities frequently invoke the statue and its state-law counterparts when declining to publicly address off-field controversies involving athletes.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
The labor secretary had been the subject of multiple controversies—accused of abusing her power, having an affair with a subordinate, and drinking on the job.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Winning tends to quiet most controversies, and the Patriots are unlikely to prioritize optics over results.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Speedlin Gonzalez, who had been on the bench since 2018, had been involved in previous controversies.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2026
Firefox Won’t Force AI on You Mozilla is clearly sensitive to the controversies around AI.
—Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
To be sure, Porter’s own record of past controversies is likely a factor in preventing her from absorbing a significant share of former Swalwell backers.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Even area colleges have weathered tragedies, scandals and controversies recently.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026
Universities frequently invoke the statue and its state-law counterparts when declining to publicly address off-field controversies involving athletes.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
But the more notable trend today is that many disputes no longer hinge on whether AI exists at all.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Platinum’s biggest supply risk stems from its heavy dependence on South African mines, where power outages and labor disputes can disrupt mining output.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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
-
Massie came to Congress as a spending hawk, and more than a decade later, that remains his signature issue and the source of many of his disagreements with GOP leaders.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But six months after a high-profile IPO, the company’s share price has crashed, and its CEO and CFO both left their posts this weekend, reportedly over disagreements about whether to sell the firm (Fermi didn’t respond to a request for comment).—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With the midterms approaching, certain primaries have reflected broader debates about whether the Party might consider cursing more, capitalizing tweets, going Dark Woke.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The centrist frequently votes for Democratic amendments during legislative debates but, in the end, often supports the final Republican bill.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These differences reflect uncertainty about the size of the tax base, the challenges of administering the tax, and how buyers and sellers will respond.—
Martha E. Stark,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The president was asked about reports that Iran said there were still significant differences in their positions on a possible deal.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other proposals in the legislative package would require city agencies to report on social media’s impact on young people’s mental health and study how their online activity can lead to face-to-face altercations.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday, the Village of Skokie posted a statement to their website in regards to the two youth altercations, stating that officials were made aware of the two separate incidents by Skokie Police and the Skokie Park District.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If that timeline holds, closing arguments would take place on May 5, and a sentencing verdict could come that same day.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The health and environmental arguments for these political positions have been argued to death, but Barrett says that the economic consequences of dirty air are often overlooked.—
Meg Tanaka,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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