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
The event has also been at the center of a sexism row following a controversial op-ed penned by founder Żydowicz.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The controversial feature was originally supposed to debut alongside Copilot Plus PCs in June, but Microsoft was forced to hold back Recall after security concerns were raised.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
Perhaps no surprise considering the stock’s ascent since the election, Wall Street analysts covering Tesla largely view a Trump presidency as a boon for the automaker due mostly to the prospect of fewer regulations for the company’s controversial Full Self-Driving programs.
—Derek Saul, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
In the event of other controversial initiatives under Trump, career staffers may simply drag the work out until a new administration comes to power.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial 
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Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The controversial feature was originally supposed to debut alongside Copilot Plus PCs in June, but Microsoft was forced to hold back Recall after security concerns were raised.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
Perhaps no surprise considering the stock’s ascent since the election, Wall Street analysts covering Tesla largely view a Trump presidency as a boon for the automaker due mostly to the prospect of fewer regulations for the company’s controversial Full Self-Driving programs.
—Derek Saul, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
In the event of other controversial initiatives under Trump, career staffers may simply drag the work out until a new administration comes to power.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial
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Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 3 Dec. 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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