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
Ye has drawn widespread controversy in recent years for a series of antisemitic remarks, leaving Dutch authorities under mounting pressure to cancel the gigs on June 6 and 8.
—
ABC News, 3 June 2026
Kramer’s tenure has been marked by both positive reviews for high accuracy in property assessments and controversy.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
The unusual situation has injected a fresh dose of controversy into one of the country’s most competitive Senate races.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026
Of course, this isn't the first time Johnson's hunting adventures have generated controversy.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
ABC News, 3 June 2026
Kramer’s tenure has been marked by both positive reviews for high accuracy in property assessments and controversy.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
The unusual situation has injected a fresh dose of controversy into one of the country’s most competitive Senate races.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026
Of course, this isn't the first time Johnson's hunting adventures have generated controversy.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
-
In 2023, Archer settled intellectual property disputes with Boeing and its air taxi unit Wisk, and signed an agreement to collaborate on autonomous tech, and invested in the air taxi maker.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
Carney acknowledged that while the US and Canada have had disputes, the countries have always worked through them, and that a more independent Canada makes the country a better ally.—
Reuters May 28,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and agribusiness lobbies do not need to defeat MAHA in public debate.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
What the candidates have said about affordability The candidates offered their ideas for making California more affordable during debates in April and May as well as on their websites.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The Grammy winner’s Ring camera caught the altercation when her private security intervened and tried to get Applegate to leave.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The altercation allegedly led to a brief fight in which the granddaughter is accused of pulling on one of the kids' hair before being separated.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
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
Noun
-
All this negative verbiage stems from disagreements over contracts with Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach and what the sheriff agreed to do.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
As political disagreements have splintered the nation, Americans of every political persuasion have raised the flag to display pride or protest.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
In May 2024, Jose Siri tried swinging at Uribe during a dugout-clearing quarrel.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
-
What was a calm discussion turned into a quarrel, and the new director of the facility came out to see what was going on.—
Amer Matar,
The Dial,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
On the night of May 4, Marenco went into the woman’s room and the argument started over rent money.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
In New Providence, this new-construction villa makes its argument through finish as much as frontage.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Attorneys say Gray intervened in fight Attorneys claim Gray was attempting to break up a fight when Tarver pulled out a gun and shot him.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
For Ritter, the elevated bar is almost beside the point, because the SpaceX grants differ fundamentally from the Tesla fight.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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