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
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Recent Examples of controversy
Justin Dini, who steered communications at Viacom and then continued to lead that corporate function amid multiple mergers, transactions, controversies and rebrandings, is departing the company.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
The Uruguayan striker, who is no stranger to controversy, apologized for his actions in an Instagram message last week.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The announcement drew controversy because Niccol, a longtime Southern California resident, wasn't required to relocate to Starbucks' headquarters in Seattle when the company hired him.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
While automakers unveiled more and cheaper electric vehicles at the Munich Auto Show Tuesday, the controversy gathered pace over whether to water down the European Union’s long-term plan to force its citizens to buy EVs.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
The Uruguayan striker, who is no stranger to controversy, apologized for his actions in an Instagram message last week.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The announcement drew controversy because Niccol, a longtime Southern California resident, wasn't required to relocate to Starbucks' headquarters in Seattle when the company hired him.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
While automakers unveiled more and cheaper electric vehicles at the Munich Auto Show Tuesday, the controversy gathered pace over whether to water down the European Union’s long-term plan to force its citizens to buy EVs.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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Nearly a year after being removed from Lincoln Heights' village council over a tax dispute, a leading community activist has had his seat restored by a state appeals court.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
How the courts and legislatures balance the rights of the majority and minority in these disputes over the place of the Ten Commandments in public life may go a long way toward shaping the future of religious freedom in American public education.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The debate may indeed seem frivolous and one of luxury to many, but come next May, MIA will take it up a notch.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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For better or worse, the richest have long been able to wrest stars from the less well-off; there is, though, a welcome debate to be had about how much PSR solidifies the status quo.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Buffalo Bills ejected the fan who got into an altercation with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during Sunday night’s game at Highmark Stadium.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The altercation happened with about eight minutes remaining in the third quarter of the game.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2023
Noun
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The deal, brokered after a standoff between state and county officials resulting from a disagreement over whether to raise assessments this year, means homeowners will see a nearly 7% increase above their 2024 property valuation.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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As part of the legal dispute between Priscilla and her former business partners, Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko, a letter Keough wrote to her grandmother was made public, revealing a disagreement between the Daisy Jones & the Six star and her late mom.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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The quarrel continued to escalate, spurring Ates to send the man his location.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Fired from elite law firm Tinley Britt after an argument with his boss (John Slattery), Rudy barely pauses for breath before launching into righteous combat.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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In his June ruling, Judge Alsup agreed with Anthropic's argument, stating the company's use of books by the plaintiffs to train their AI model was acceptable.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sinner eventually came through in a display of fight and quality in adversity, and now has a day’s rest to manage the problem.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Classes were offered on serving in-fight refreshments and putting on make-up.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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