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controversy

noun

ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē How to pronounce controversy (audio)
Definition of controversynext
1
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in debate
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 controversy The controversy centers on a photo taken in a Stanford dining hall. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 Sheinbaum’s request came amid controversy over the presale and high demand for tickets for BTS’ shows at Estadio GNP Seguros, prompting the Mexican government to demand transparency from Ticketmaster Mexico in the ticket sales process. — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026 The controversy surrounding Macklemore's stage appearance continued after the MetLife Stadium performance. — Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Recently, there was a bit of a controversy after Melania didn’t accompany her husband on a trip to Ireland. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
  1. dispute
  2. debate
  3. altercation
  4. disputation
  5. disagreement
  6. quarrel
  7. argument
  8. fight
Noun
  • To join the plan, each one had to check a box, agreeing to use arbitration to settle any dispute.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Bracing for a ‘wave of disputes’ Take-or-pay contracts have their origins in the energy sector, where long and capital-intensive production timelines justified a similar legal ultimatum.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • As offshore wind farms become increasingly larger and more dense, this moves beyond the familiar military/air-traffic-radar debate and into whether coastal vessel-tracking systems can reliably see small craft moving among turbines.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Kaczynski learns that he was manipulated, and that Murray and his team had been studying his response to stress during these debates to better understand soldiers returning from war and to see what makes young men submit.
    — Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died from injuries suffered in an altercation that was initially reported as a possible strong-arm robbery, a police spokesman said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
  • To illustrate Daniel’s progress, Shaikh recounted an altercation Daniel had while leading a Friday evening prayer service in jail.
    — Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of disputation
Noun
  • The organization believes some of these conversations and disagreements among board members are drawing time and attention away from students, many of whom are Hispanic and come from Spanish-speaking backgrounds.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The disagreement came as Zambia was seeking to attract more investment into its copper and other critical-minerals industries while maintaining longstanding economic ties with China and developing closer commercial relations with the US.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.
    — THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • According to Faxon, the next step in the claim proceedings will continue to center around the argument made by the Attorney General’s Office.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But unlike the black hole argument, AdS/CFT is essentially a mathematical fact about gravity and quantum mechanics with no alternative interpretation.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • The fight, Haro said, is about more than extending a lease or delaying an eviction.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The opposite is true for our pal Shikishima, who has absolutely no interest in ever climbing back into the cockpit of a fight plane.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

controversies
controversy
controvert
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Cite this Entry

“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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