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.

controversialism

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-ˌli-zəm 

-sē-ə-ˌli-

noun

controversialist

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-list 

-sē-ə-list

noun

controversially adverb

Synonyms

• argumentative
• contentious
• disputatious
• hot-button
• polemical
• polemic

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

The data linking water fluoridation to low IQ is controversial. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025

His ascension was controversial, with some federal lawmakers questioning the legitimacy of his claims to the presidency. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025

The tariffs have been controversial from the start, and have generated competing narratives. —Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

That result is not at all controversial to economists, who assume that most of the cost of tariffs is passed on to the consumer. —Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see controversy

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for controversial

• noncommercial
• commercial
• inertial
• noncontroversial
• uncontroversial

Kids Definition

controversial

adjective

con·​tro·​ver·​sial ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 

-ˈvər-sē-əl

: relating to or causing controversy

a controversial movie

controversially

-ē

adverb