controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 
-ˈvər-sē-əl
1
: of, relating to, or arousing controversy
a controversial policy
a controversial film
2
: given to controversy : disputatious
a controversial temperament
The controversial biologist caused a ferment among his colleagues.
controversially
adverb
Examples of controversial in a Sentence
Abortion is a highly controversial subject.
a decision that remains controversial
He is a controversial author.
Recent Examples on the Web
Later in the week, Stahl added another wrinkle to the controversial traffic stop.
—
Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
But to partially offset the cost, the House makes a different, highly controversial assumption: Extending the TCJA, improving government efficiency, and adopting unspecified changes to federal regulations would raise $2.6 trillion over the next 10 years by boosting economic growth.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Between something that felt safer, more glamorous and more crowd pleasing, versus something that was a bit more potentially controversial, or something that some people might understand or not understand.
—Alison Edmond, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Musk’s recent controversial behavior includes addressing an inauguration audience with a gesture many interpreted to be a Nazi salute.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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.
Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
But to partially offset the cost, the House makes a different, highly controversial assumption: Extending the TCJA, improving government efficiency, and adopting unspecified changes to federal regulations would raise $2.6 trillion over the next 10 years by boosting economic growth.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Between something that felt safer, more glamorous and more crowd pleasing, versus something that was a bit more potentially controversial, or something that some people might understand or not understand.
—Alison Edmond, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Musk’s recent controversial behavior includes addressing an inauguration audience with a gesture many interpreted to be a Nazi salute.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Articles Related to controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl
-ˈvər-sē-əl
: relating to or causing controversy
a controversial movie
controversially
adverb
-ē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share