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
Synonyms
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
In this controversial 2024 election year, she’s observed that many brands have pulled away from anything that can be perceived as political support for either party.
—
Michelle Greenwald, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
Her first Oscar nomination, for best supporting actress, came playing Desdemona opposite Olivier’s controversial Othello in Stuart Burge’s 1965 adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
—Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2024
Or consider the controversial 2017 Netflix show 13 Reasons Why, which told the story of a girl’s suicide.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024
Most standalone prescription drug plans are participating in a controversial CMS program that reduces plan premiums by $15, CMS said.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial 
Michelle Greenwald, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
Her first Oscar nomination, for best supporting actress, came playing Desdemona opposite Olivier’s controversial Othello in Stuart Burge’s 1965 adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
—Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2024
Or consider the controversial 2017 Netflix show 13 Reasons Why, which told the story of a girl’s suicide.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024
Most standalone prescription drug plans are participating in a controversial CMS program that reduces plan premiums by $15, CMS said.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'controversial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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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