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 Routine offside decisions were cleared up quickly, except for one aberration in Switzerland vs Qatar, and for once there were no major handball controversies. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Schiff said years of reporting detailing undisclosed gifts, financial conflicts of interest and controversies involving Supreme Court justices have undermined public confidence in the federal judiciary and prompted the legislative package. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Marty Makary resigned as FDA commissioner in May, and controversies during his tenure got most of the attention. — Avik Roy, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Here’s a look at some of the previous controversies the lawmaker has been at the center of. — Ilana Arougheti july 21, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 These controversies highlighted broader concerns regarding consistency, predictability, and transparency in the drug review process. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026 The works are scheduled to go on display in Europe, and the trove’s impending departure has ignited one of Mexico’s most heated cultural controversies in recent memory. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 There have been no shortage of controversies at this year’s World Cup, which enters its final leg this with the final match happening Sunday. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026 Trust metrics slipped as well, a decline the report links to a run of editorial controversies during the year. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

That explains why your initial disputes with PayPal and American Express were denied.

— Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Smart contracts, tokenized assets, validator activity, and decentralized networks can create disputes that do not fit neatly within traditional commercial frameworks.

— Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

Another study found that a third of Americans have had relationships with friends, family members, or romantic partners end over political disagreements.

— Frederick J. Ryan, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Over the past six months, Fedorov and Syrsky frequently took their complaints about each other to the arbiter in their disagreements, President Volodymyr Zelensky.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

Wilson points to emerging debates around the country about mid-century modern homes — new enough in the 1970s, but now eligible for historic designations.

— Mark Dee July 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026
While proponents highlight their potential for companionship, addressing issues like loneliness, this technology sparks profound ethical debates.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

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
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Definition of quarrels

Noun

Often, altercations involving a resident with dementia erupt after danger signals are missed or ineffectively addressed, according to a KFF Health News examination of court records, police reports, and state and federal inspection reports.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Retired Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem found himself in more than a few altercations during his NBA playing career.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Definition of altercations

Noun

Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Alex Kian told jurors during closing arguments that Dominguez chose to attack his victims, repeatedly stab them and flee afterward.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
As the battle for grass fields escalates, the lawyer in me can’t resist sharing the arguments for and against switching entirely to grass.

— Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 21 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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