controversial

adjective

con·tro·ver·sial ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl

-ˈvər-sē-əl

Synonyms of controversial next

: of, relating to, or arousing controversy

a controversial policy

a controversial film

: given to controversy : disputatious

a controversial temperament

The controversial biologist caused a ferment among his colleagues.

controversialism

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-ˌli-zəm

-sē-ə-ˌli-

noun

controversialist

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-list

-sē-ə-list

noun

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

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.

Several House and Senate Democrats supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act despite the bill’s controversial measures. —

Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 Less controversial are interventions tailored to communities. —

Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2025 These waivers, where one side of a deal gives up some legal rights, are controversial and have triggered disputes in the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 But oversight officials have long said that exclusionary behaviors — such as voting on which deputies are allowed to have a tattoo — are hallmarks of the controversial groups. —

Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for controversial