1
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in debate
variance of opinion on a matter
there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversy
The Oscars would be the first American awards show the actress has attended since her social media controversy began to unfold in January.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
Most of the controversy focuses on a small section, south of Bismarck, N.D., that crosses under a reservoir on the Missouri River.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
On stage, Saldaña didn’t directly address the larger controversy surrounding the movie.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 23 Feb. 2025
Abbasi was in attendance at Saturday’s Indie Spirit Awards despite the controversy.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
Most of the controversy focuses on a small section, south of Bismarck, N.D., that crosses under a reservoir on the Missouri River.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
On stage, Saldaña didn’t directly address the larger controversy surrounding the movie.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 23 Feb. 2025
Abbasi was in attendance at Saturday’s Indie Spirit Awards despite the controversy.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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The network brought a federal lawsuit and a judge quickly sided with CNN in the dispute on due process grounds, leading the White House to back down from the legal fight.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Weston, 34, and Fulton, 57, were allegedly involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical on April 28, 2024.—
Charmaine Patterson,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the same debates accompanying discussions of slavery reparations in greater society permeate the order as well: Some feel a moral urgency while others criticize the effort as unfairly burdening the entities of today or suggesting the order’s ongoing work with the poor should suffice.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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Late & Live will once again be the only place to watch the celebrity evictees first live interview alongside an array of unmissable exclusive features including access to the camera runs, special guest commentary and fiery debate.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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His family has requested the body cam footage of the altercation, but has not been able to view it.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2023
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And yet there is one aspect of the book which was notable: a disputation of the Richard Wrangham's work in Demonic Males.—
Razib Khan,
Discover Magazine,
22 Apr. 2013
Noun
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Beyond being able to view things rationally, cognitive reappraisal also offers you and your partner the time to cool off when a disagreement becomes heated.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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The governor compared the current Albany/City Hall conflict to the 1970s disagreement between Gov. Hugh Carey and Mayor Abe Beame on how to best handle financial woes which had brought down New York City.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC News,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The public quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy began after Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties.—
ILLIA NOVIKOV,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
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The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow to Western countries’ efforts to counter China’s sway, analysts said.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The argument against keeping Dalton The Panthers are projected to have roughly $20 million in salary cap space this offseason, according to Over The Cap.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Feb. 2025
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The resulting argument doesn’t end well for Marcus.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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Their responses indicate a lengthy fight to come over the budget resolution.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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