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
However, the conservative politician has sparked controversy for her views on the LGBTQ+ community.
—
Abby Monteil, Them., 21 Oct. 2025
Takaichi has also courted controversy with her disdain for immigrants and even tourists, a rapidly growing industry in Japan.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
The district, which represents one of the fastest-growing communities in Kansas, has in recent years been roiled by controversies over mask mandates, purported book banning, the treatment of transgender students and use of a Kansans for Life video in classrooms.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Shepard's reunion with Morrison comes days after his 12th wedding anniversary with Bell, an occasion that put the couple at the center of some controversy.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Abby Monteil, Them., 21 Oct. 2025
Takaichi has also courted controversy with her disdain for immigrants and even tourists, a rapidly growing industry in Japan.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
The district, which represents one of the fastest-growing communities in Kansas, has in recent years been roiled by controversies over mask mandates, purported book banning, the treatment of transgender students and use of a Kansans for Life video in classrooms.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Shepard's reunion with Morrison comes days after his 12th wedding anniversary with Bell, an occasion that put the couple at the center of some controversy.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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Arenas has since said the dispute started over a game of bourré.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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The dispute has largely remained peaceful so far.—
Omar S Mahmood,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has earned a reputation as a hardliner on immigration, an image that helped propel her to power amid rising nationalist sentiment and debate over Japan’s identity amid demographic decline.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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As in years past, there was plenty of heated debate, some clever campaigning on social media, a last-minute push for votes from A-list significant others and a few races that were neck-and-neck right up until the last ballot was cast.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Packers owned a 22-19 lead in the fourth quarter when Steelers linebacker Nick Niemann was flagged for instigating an altercation.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Other behaviors that commonly cause altercations during flights include shouting, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and reclining your seat without consideration for the person sitting behind.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 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 dispute could affect billions of dollars in cross-border trade and set a new precedent for handling disagreements over the use of public figures and historic addresses in political messaging.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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The sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with 75% of Republicans, 82% of Independents and 79% of Democrats expressing disagreement.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While still 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,
14 Oct. 2025
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Hip-Hop has equally thrived on legendary quarrels and strong relationships.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The best argument to count the goal?—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Brooks, who lives across the street from where the stabbing happened, got into an argument with the teacher before going to his home to get a knife, KUSA reported.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When police arrived, however, there was no sign of any fight or crime scene.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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In his eight wins, all eight have come inside the distance, with only two fights seeing a second round.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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