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

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

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 Earlier this year, Yu Hao, the founder and CEO of leading robot-vacuum-maker Dreame, made headlines and stirred controversy with his goal of building it into the world’s first $100 trillion company. — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 As controversy surrounding Flock license plate recognition cameras continues, a former Metro Detroit police captain says the technology is being misunderstood and that its crime-fighting benefits outweigh concerns about government surveillance. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Because the monologue was reviewed before broadcast, the article argues, the show had an opportunity to reject the material; inviting Gillis back for a third time made the controversy a preventable institutional choice. — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 In response to the controversy, a number of Missouri Republicans have attacked the system. — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 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
  • Around the same time, Congress established the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, an administrative body that adjudicates patent disputes.
    — Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • There was also a physical dispute between Parillo and Amy Helm after her removal, during which police were called to LHS in Woodstock.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • Giving Americans $1,000 or $5,000 invested in a technology index is a straightforward idea; The source and use of the funds will likely be of great debate.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Congress weighs competing proposals Anthropic’s draft enters a crowded legislative debate over how the United States should regulate frontier AI.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Lazio faced Juventus, whose coach Luciano Spalletti is serving a one-match suspension following his altercation with Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Over 20 shots were fired by multiple people during an early-Saturday altercation in downtown Boise, the Boise Police Department reported Saturday.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • This contestation takes place through philosophical debates, religious disputations, and public discussions, whether direct or indirect, open or clandestine.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of disputation
Noun
  • Dispute turns personal The confrontation grew out of a political disagreement over a proposal to extend term limits for Miami Gardens council members.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There’s not really a lot of disagreement about values and principles.
    — John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Aly’s quarrel begins with a name; Luna’s arrives at the rank implied by father.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • But Lugo concurred with Teymouri’s argument that the family’s extreme wealth and potential risk of flight required her to set a high bail.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The argument is designed to provide cover for the dehumanizing policies of the administration against immigrants and their families.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Russia's heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine's appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Russia’s heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine’s appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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