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 Much of this controversy remains misunderstood, including conflicting claims about the weapons’ origins and definition. — Robert Spitzer, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 Unfortunately, for the last two years, rather than just combating corruption and avoiding controversy, Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, has been up to his neck in both. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Wheel remembers seeing the XJS’s debut as a kid, and the controversy around it. — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026 Another focal point in the ongoing controversy is a series of $30,000 monthly payments tied to Qonnect, a consulting firm owned by Raki McGregor, for a teacher housing initiative. — Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 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
  • Seaver’s dispute with Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager and the sole manager of She’s Alive LLC, first spilled into public view when Nozell sued him last month and sought the restraining order.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Sentara Health, a hospital system in Virginia with more than $14 billion of revenue, recently went through a contract dispute with Anthem, the health plan owned by Elevance Health.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • With recent polls showing Raman in the lead, the councilmember will likely try to avoid making any kind of flub during the in-studio debate hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo52 in Universal City.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In July, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham brought the debate to the WNBA, telling ESPN trans women shouldn’t be allowed to play in the league.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • One of Bonner's friends appeared to get into an argument with the third man as the second male friend attempted to hold him back from an altercation.
    — Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris said at Sunday's community vigil that the suspect had allegedly gotten into an altercation with staff at a wireless store in the Chatham neighborhood just before the fatal stabbing, WLS reported.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 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
  • Gowanus Green, as shown in this rendering, is planned to be 100 percent affordable, but construction stalled due to disagreements over cleanup standards.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the deep divide on governance, and disagreements on governance in Bangladesh, the 300-signatory milestone demonstrates that international brands remain committed to the Accord’s core principle.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 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
  • An argument made a fortiori gives an even more convincing reason than one that has already been accepted.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But Hill admitted to shoving his wife Keeta Vaccaro, 30, against the wall during an argument inside their Sunny Isles condo.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Producer Kang Jeongwon was struck by the film’s central contradiction, that a fight to protect a family can upend its daily life.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Choudri also made headlines earlier this year after the authority put him on leave after police arrested him at his Folsom home following a fight between his daughter and fiancée.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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