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 Embattled Central Florida Congressman Cory Mills faced off in a fiery primary debate with three fellow Republicans Wednesday evening, in which the political issues were largely overshadowed by his many controversies. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 This feature has been the source of controversy since DV2 was announced, but the crucial point is that it is set by creatives, delivering their intent. — John Archer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Musk’s rapid construction of the two Colossus data centers in the Greater Memphis area has been the center of controversy. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026 The GoFundMe campaign has been a source of controversy since its launch. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 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
  • The release of Fauci's text messages could further rekindle a yearslong dispute between Fauci and congressional Republicans about how the federal government's former top infectious disease expert responded to the coronavirus pandemic.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Creditors rarely challenge such plans because most disputes are resolved earlier.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • And Lakeland City Commissioners pass a one-year moratorium on data center construction as the debate over AI facilities plays out in election campaigns around the state.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The debate is further complicated because the state owns the bridge, while the only railroad using it — Providence and Worcester — is a private business serving another private business, RED Technologies, a division of multinational ReWorld.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • After the altercation, the juvenile employee recalled that Grayson appeared to lower herself to the floor in the dining area.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Kelce was among their teammates who stepped in to break up the altercation.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 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
  • The judges eventually discuss the clothes — but there, too, things get dramatic, with a lot of disagreement between Law and the other judges.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Although proposals for a memorial had emerged shortly after Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, decades of political disagreement over its design, location and purpose had delayed construction.
    — Jennifer Tucker, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • Their midnight rendezvous seems doomed to end in a quarrel until Mysaria heeds Sylvi’s advice.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • From there, police detective Carlson (Bo Svenson, in a diabolically hateable performance) jumps to conclusions — clearly, Billy is also gay, and murdered Tom’s boyfriend in a lover’s quarrel, right?
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • Washington decidedthat the argument had already been won and stopped making it.
    — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Features like autoplay, infinite scroll and algorithmic content recommendations have been the prime targets of legal arguments that social media platforms are designed to be addictive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • The fight over the plan to sell off parts of the World Cup and other signature FIFA events to private businesses has tested that bulletproof presidency.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The vote capped off a bruising confirmation fight, with Blanche’s loyalty to Trump at the center of the stalemate.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on controversy

Nglish: Translation of controversy for Spanish Speakers

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