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
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
Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing charges in both Romania and the U.K.
1 Comments
Andrew Tate and his younger brother, Tristan Tate, have gone from controversial Internet personalities to accused international criminals.
—
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The proposal would repeal a controversial 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches.
—Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
The state was the first to authorize the controversial new execution method nitrogen hypoxia in 2015, but to date has never used it.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
That tough-on-crime measure was the most controversial measure on the November 2024 ballot, and was passed resoundingly by voters despite opposition from Democratic leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025
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Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The proposal would repeal a controversial 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches.
—Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
The state was the first to authorize the controversial new execution method nitrogen hypoxia in 2015, but to date has never used it.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
That tough-on-crime measure was the most controversial measure on the November 2024 ballot, and was passed resoundingly by voters despite opposition from Democratic leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 28 Mar. 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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