controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē 

 British also  kən-ˈträ-və-sē

plural controversies

1

: a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute

The decision aroused a controversy among the students.

2

: quarrel, strife

Synonyms

• altercation
• argle-bargle [chiefly British]
• argument
• argy-bargy [chiefly British]
• battle royal
• bicker
• brawl
• contretemps
• cross fire
• disagreement
• dispute
• donnybrook
• falling-out
• fight
• hassle
• imbroglio
• kickup
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• rhubarb
• row
• scrap
• set-to
• spat
• squabble
• tiff
• wrangle

Examples of controversy in a Sentence

The decision aroused much controversy among the students.

The new movie is a subject of controversy.

There is controversy surrounding the team's decision to trade the star pitcher.

The controversy is over whether he should be fired or not.

A controversy arose over the new law.

Recent Examples on the Web

The records put an end to a monthslong controversy over whether Winfrey was paid for endorsing the former Democratic presidential nominee. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Patel's nomination as FBI director must first clear Senate confirmation, a process that legal experts predict will be fraught with controversy. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

After Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of Todd Haynes’ gay romance film in September, just days before filming started, Haynes has spoken out for the first time about the controversy. —Them, 6 Dec. 2024

An alternative scenario that would allow Trump to avoid causing controversy with his Republican allies in Congress would be brokering a deal for TikTok to be sold to an American investor. —Zeyi Yang Makena Kelly, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English controversie, from Anglo-French, from Latin controversia, from controversus disputable, literally, turned against, from contro- (akin to contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē 

plural controversies

1

: a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute

2

: quarrel entry 1 sense 2, strife

Etymology

Middle English controversie, from early French (same meaning), from Latin controversia "act or cause of disagreeing, dispute," literally, "something turned against or to the contrary," from contro-, contra- "against, contrary" and versus "turned," from vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse, divert, versatile

Legal Definition

controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē Brit also kən-ˈträ-vər-sē 

plural controversies

1

: a state of dispute or disagreement

suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars

—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

2

: a civil action involving a real and immediate dispute between parties with adverse interests

Note: Article III of the U.S. Constitution gives the judiciary the power to decide cases and controversies. Article III's limitation of the judicial power to cases or controversies requires that an action brought in the federal court involve parties with standing to sue and questions that are ripe and not moot.

controversial

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl, -ˈvər-sē-əl 

adjective