CONTROVERTED Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

controverted

verb

past tense of controvert

as in argued

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controverted

Verb

But the earnings data used by Dangote and its issuing houses make assumptions and calculations that are not clearly reconciled, Fawehinmi argued in an analysis published on Substack over the weekend.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Native American groups have argued that the construction could inhibit their ability to practice their faith and is damaging important religious sites while environmentalists worry the wall will cause flooding or keep animals from migrating.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of argued

Verb

King bickered with fans on social media.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Definition of bickered

Verb

In Krisevich’s case, Konovalova repeatedly quarreled with the artist and his wife until the couple ultimately escaped Russia in December 2025.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
During his time in the Senate, Brattin was previously a member of the Conservative Caucus, which later rebranded as the Missouri Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-charging lawmakers that frequently quarreled with GOP leadership.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of quarreled

Verb

The methodology of Milgram’s experiments as well as similar ones has been recently questioned and the numbers disputed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
The contract manager disputed the claim that the travel was prohibited; the inspector general disagreed.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of disputed

Verb

Like many a modern-day struggle, the battle over the Michelin Guide’s recent foray into rating wineries and their vineyards is being fought over social media rather than in the street—or even the tasting room.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026
Wendi fought to move them to South Florida to be near her family, while Markel pressed to keep them in Tallahassee, where the parents shared custody.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of fought

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.

Browse Nearby Words

controvert

controverted

controvertible

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Controverted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controverted. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of controverted

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nemesis

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes