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
Neither, for that matter, are some of Spotify’s more controversial programming decisions that go beyond music—such as its nine-figure deal with the wildly popular podcaster Joe Rogan.
—
Brad Shoup, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
Kanye West was dropped by his talent agency following the controversial rapper’s meltdown on social media over the weekend, which included selling a swastika T-shirt, making a string of antisemitic remarks, and posting several pornographic videos to his feed.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Trump's idea to relocate Palestinians from Gaza could worsen humanitarian crisis: Experts
The ceasefire turbulence comes as Trump continues to promote his controversial plan to permanently relocate Gaza's population -- around 2 million people -- to other regional nations.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025
Power and independence Musk’s controversial approach to cost cutting has set him apart.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
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Brad Shoup, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
Kanye West was dropped by his talent agency following the controversial rapper’s meltdown on social media over the weekend, which included selling a swastika T-shirt, making a string of antisemitic remarks, and posting several pornographic videos to his feed.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Trump's idea to relocate Palestinians from Gaza could worsen humanitarian crisis: Experts
The ceasefire turbulence comes as Trump continues to promote his controversial plan to permanently relocate Gaza's population -- around 2 million people -- to other regional nations.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025
Power and independence Musk’s controversial approach to cost cutting has set him apart.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for controversial
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Dictionary Entries Near controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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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