as in arguing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controverting
Verb
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Attorneys for Brown, Raygoza and Samane spent the week arguing that the government’s case was blown out of proportion.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026 -
The Clintons were subpoenaed to appear under oath in front of the committee for a deposition in January, but failed to comply, arguing the subpoenas were without legal merit.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her grandparents are constantly bickering, worn down by the pressures of keeping the family hotel afloat.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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The choice not to pick a team has left fans bickering with each other.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors are fighting to prevent Cox from being able to cross examine witnesses.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
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Glycolic acid is great for people with more resilient skin who need an intensive acne-fighting treatment.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her father, after quarreling with Antigone’s mother, locked her out of their house overnight, which led to a terrible accident.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
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Lydon’s revelation comes after years of quarreling with guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock, and drummer Paul Cook.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Her mother, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, was a persistent advocate of no-nonsense education while serving in the Legislature, often clashing with the state’s entrenched education establishment — even the powerful California Teachers Association.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
26 Feb. 2026
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Everything can be worn together, never clashing, but also never boring.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Controverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controverting. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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