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
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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 13 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
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