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
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey tried to address the team’s Pride Night controversy.
—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
McKeesport Area High School football head coach Matt Miller has resigned amid a controversy that involves a local church and a murder trial.
—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
For Bunnie, this wasn’t about controversy.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
24 June 2026
License plate readers have attracted controversy and mistrust due to privacy implications and large-scale surveillance concerns.
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
McKeesport Area High School football head coach Matt Miller has resigned amid a controversy that involves a local church and a murder trial.
—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
For Bunnie, this wasn’t about controversy.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
24 June 2026
License plate readers have attracted controversy and mistrust due to privacy implications and large-scale surveillance concerns.
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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Brad Pitt may have scored a win in his yearslong winery dispute with ex Angelina Jolie, but the battle is far from over.
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Showdowns over international inspectors caused years of disputes between the US and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and more recently Iran.
Noun
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More broadly, the technology also reignites debates over how to balance learning efficiency against the risk of cheating.
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The complexity at play in data center debates is often what has prompted moratoriums, with local governments looking for more time to properly take stock of concerns from neighbors and the facts at hand.
Noun
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Witnesses told the Nantucket Current that the stabbing followed a verbal and physical altercation between the driver of a Myles Reis garbage truck and the driver of a Sayles Seafood delivery truck that had parked in the area.
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Cartwright said statements from those involved explained that the victim and her mother were involved in a physical altercation.
Noun
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This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
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According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
Noun
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At the heart of this debate is a fundamental disagreement about sexuality, morality and identity.
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This is a strategic disagreement.
Noun
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The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
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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.
Noun
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Chicago police said that an argument between the victim and another male turned into a fight when the male pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
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The stars aligned, and we — the fans — were transported right into the middle of an argument over balls and strikes between the home plate umpire and A's manager Mark Kotsay.
Noun
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Chicago police said that an argument between the victim and another male turned into a fight when the male pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
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In the room next door, Aaresh plays video games with his friend, like any other 12-year-old boy, taking a break from his homework and studying for a French exam, and oblivious to how his parents’ fight could change his life and those of others like him.
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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