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 There was another controversy over the skull-and-crossbones tattoo, which is widely recognized as a Nazi symbol, on his chest. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 His comments broadened the debate beyond Machado’s individual case, framing the controversy as one involving fundamental civil liberties rather than simply a political disagreement over the opposition leader’s role during the disaster response. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026 Graham Platner, the Marine Corps veteran and oysterman who mounted a quixotic bid for the US Senate in Maine, was used to controversy—headlines had been bad enough already, and his campaign aides spent much of their time dealing with lurid rumors. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 But such controversy is rare for the Chicago FBI, the agency’s third-largest field office. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 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
  • Herzog won a power struggle in the front office, then quit anyway, amid disputes with ownership.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The court was established in 2001 and began functioning four years later as both an international court to settle disputes among Caribbean countries and as a final court of appeal.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The debate over the development has played out amid a serious downturn in the region’s entertainment industry, with studios shifting film and television production to Georgia, New Mexico and other out-of-state locations.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Because of the vast amount of money being thrown into these markets, semantic debates have exploded into financial ones.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • The altercation involving Sandoval, Robinson and her father happened in the early morning hours after the couple returned home from a night out at a bar, according to both accounts.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Angelo and the woman’s fiancé got into a brief altercation that resulted in an exchange of gunfire.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 6 July 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
  • Rather, the point would be to convert disagreements regarding biodiversity into guidance for ongoing experimentation.
    — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
  • His comments broadened the debate beyond Machado’s individual case, framing the controversy as one involving fundamental civil liberties rather than simply a political disagreement over the opposition leader’s role during the disaster response.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
  • Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • The proceedings were frequently bogged down by arguments over whether certain exhibits could be admitted into evidence and publicly broadcast via a camera in the courtroom.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The lawyers will provide their arguments related to the appeal in subsequent court filings.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Instead of promoting their efforts, Republican lawmakers were left scrambling when the president abruptly withdrew his support over a separate political fight.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Away from fight sports, this past month has seen three players competing at the men’s World Cup who are facing active investigations or have been charged with rape.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

controversies
controversy
controvert
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of controversy for Spanish Speakers

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