as in to argue
to express different opinions about something often angrily
ever since the poem was first published, critics and scholars have controverted over the meaning of its concluding lines
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Recent Examples of controvert
Those then who controvert the principle that the constitution is to be considered, in court, as a paramount law, are reduced to the necessity of maintaining that courts must close their eyes on the constitution, and see only the law.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Many of those people had been convicted of assaulting police officers, prompting a backlash from Democrats — and even some Republicans — who said Trump’s move controverted Republican claims of being the party that champions law and order and personal responsibility.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025
Even assuming this is true (and this description will be controverted at trial), a monopoly by itself does not violate the antitrust laws.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
The appellate court noted that the woman’s testimony was controverted.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 16 May 2023
During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light.
—Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2017
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Many of those people had been convicted of assaulting police officers, prompting a backlash from Democrats — and even some Republicans — who said Trump’s move controverted Republican claims of being the party that champions law and order and personal responsibility.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025
Even assuming this is true (and this description will be controverted at trial), a monopoly by itself does not violate the antitrust laws.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
The appellate court noted that the woman’s testimony was controverted.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 16 May 2023
During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light.
—Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controvert
Verb
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In fact, little of that story line, Androsoff argues, is backed up by historical evidence.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
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At the time, Cortese argued the tax was needed to address significant and growing budget challenges.—
Mercury News Editorial,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Franklin’s son and grandson quarreled.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
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Will the two be allowed to wed, or will Ellen’s brothers, quarrelling over their father’s chair, bargain her off to other suitors to improve their chances?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The line occurs when the film’s protagonist, Ripley (Weaver), emerges from an elevator in a giant metal bodysuit, ready to fight a terrifying alien to save a young child.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Season-long struggles; still fighting Charlotte has five games left on the schedule, starting with North Texas (6-1, 2-1 American) next Friday night on ESPN2.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controvert. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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