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
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 continues to dog the administration back in Washington, particularly on Capitol Hill.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
The big five issues that business leaders deal with—geopolitics, technology, economics, social issues and the environment—are all full of controversy and uncertainty.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Steele made her debut on the mothership series’ second season as Marissa Gold, the only daughter of Eli Gold (Alan Cumming), who helped Peter Florick (Chris Noth) during multiple controversies, both political and otherwise.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025
That controversy, though, also helped to make the book an international bestseller.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
The big five issues that business leaders deal with—geopolitics, technology, economics, social issues and the environment—are all full of controversy and uncertainty.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Steele made her debut on the mothership series’ second season as Marissa Gold, the only daughter of Eli Gold (Alan Cumming), who helped Peter Florick (Chris Noth) during multiple controversies, both political and otherwise.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025
That controversy, though, also helped to make the book an international bestseller.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
-
The dispute was heard by an arbitrator (and not a judge) because, per SPAC language and accompanying NBPA regulations, player-agent disputes are subject to arbitration.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The dishwasher was made in America, though there is some dispute over who did it.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The vitriol levied at uninvolved lawmakers since Wednesday's shooting has had a chilling effect on the American tradition of lawmakers' community engagement — as well as the open debate and political discourse Kirk himself espoused.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate—never through violence.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Student accused of mocking Charlie Kirk death Camryn Giselle Booker, a student at Texas Tech University, was arrested on charges of assault after an altercation with students mourning the death of Charlie Kirk.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Campus police arrested a student at Texas Tech University in connection to an altercation with students who were mourning the death of Charlie Kirk, officials confirmed.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
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
-
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
-
The September 12 report shared that RBW had actually fired Lee in August, citing declining profitability, management difficulties, and disagreements over new artist direction.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Its first-ever color feature, In the Shadow of Honor, which was going to be filmed in Indonesia, was canceled due to disagreements between the two countries related to colonial war reparations.—
Michael Taube,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The outcome of that long-simmering family quarrel is never really in much doubt, but there are still a few neat surprises involving a couple of rare bottles of whiskey and the fate of two family businesses.—
Stephen Farber,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Through attorney Darren Heitner of Heitner Legal, Turner in the arbitration hearing made several arguments that he’s entitled to the 4% commission on the Clippers contract.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Rutte and Grynkewich described NATO’s eastern flank as the front line of defense, but dismissed arguments that the whole alliance wasn’t at risk of Russian aggression.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Yet two of the first three weekends on CU’s fight card have resembled the Kansas and Kansas State losses of 2024.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Naoya Inoue, who is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters and 30-0, is defending his super bantamweight title on Sunday in Japan, just hours after Álvarez and Crawford fight.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share