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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of controversy
But the sporting event held every four years is no stranger to controversy.
—
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
None of the city councilmembers spoke about the investigation or the controversy between Odette and Harris.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The controversy comes as the broader region positions itself as a rising hub for data center and AI infrastructure development.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
The controversy didn't stop the song from reaching the top of the Billboard charts and cementing a legacy that saw Madonna perform the track 37 years later with Sabrina Carpenter at the Coachella Music Festival just this past weekend.
—Topher Gauk-Roger, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
None of the city councilmembers spoke about the investigation or the controversy between Odette and Harris.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The controversy comes as the broader region positions itself as a rising hub for data center and AI infrastructure development.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
The controversy didn't stop the song from reaching the top of the Billboard charts and cementing a legacy that saw Madonna perform the track 37 years later with Sabrina Carpenter at the Coachella Music Festival just this past weekend.
—Topher Gauk-Roger, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
-
The unresolved regulatory boundaries have led to numerous legal disputes with the states and tribes that regulate and tax gambling.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This week, the dispute between The Deb actress Charlotte MacInnes and its director, Rebel Wilson, spilled into the Federal Court in Australia, and Jake has been tracking the story.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That debate intensified this March, when city officials outlined multiple options for restructuring the city’s approach to homelessness, including maintaining LAHSA with reforms, shifting responsibilities to the county, or bringing more programs in-house.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Neither Thurmond nor Villaraigosa qualified for the latest debate because of their low polling numbers.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The altercation was also caught on video, Kenny said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Though the arrest took place in 2023, the incident made headlines again in March after a video of the altercation — showing Paul yelling, putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing chairs at him while a child could be heard crying — was published by TMZ.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
-
Ongoing military activity in the Middle East and disagreements over Iran’s control of key shipping routes have left the diplomatic effort vulnerable to collapse before the talks even begin.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The disagreement has also offered a preview of politics on the city’s newest Democratic body.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the quarrel turned physical, the woman pushed Smith to the ground, witnesses told police.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
What followed was a benches-clearing quarrel between Miller, Sal Stewart and their respective teams, the dramatic conclusion to a two-day saga between the Giants and Reds featuring beanballs, cuss words and aggressive gesticulation.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our kids grew up in a house where arguments were the norm.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
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Duncan, for his part, tried to strike a balance between supporting the Royals — and his support for a downtown stadium — and the argument over what the city’s role in that discussion should be.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Republican candidates, State Senator Mayes Middleton and Central Texas Congressman Chip Roy, are in a very contentious fight.—
Jack Fink
April 12,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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