1
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
tried to avoid controversial topics over the holiday dinner table
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2
as in aggressive
given to arguing
controversial by temperament, she's the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship
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Recent Examples of controversial
These controversial businesses essentially control what Americans pay for their prescriptions.
—
Maria Aspan, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
Musk had flirted with the party previously, expressing confusion in June as to why it was considered controversial.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Dec. 2024
The controversial aesthetic, which emerged in the years following WWII, is the perfect cinematic vehicle for Adrien Brody’s poignant immigrant drama
For its often blocky and raw concrete forms, Brutalist architecture has a polarizing reputation.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 20 Dec. 2024
The controversial law, which was approved by the parliament in September 2023, will not be sent to the government as planned this week, according to one of the country’s vice presidents.
—Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial 
Maria Aspan, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
Musk had flirted with the party previously, expressing confusion in June as to why it was considered controversial.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Dec. 2024
The controversial aesthetic, which emerged in the years following WWII, is the perfect cinematic vehicle for Adrien Brody’s poignant immigrant drama
For its often blocky and raw concrete forms, Brutalist architecture has a polarizing reputation.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 20 Dec. 2024
The controversial law, which was approved by the parliament in September 2023, will not be sent to the government as planned this week, according to one of the country’s vice presidents.
—Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial
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Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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