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

Like any good roast, there were some controversial moments. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 8 May 2024

In New York protests, police used a controversial specialty unit Russ Hicks, a longtime police academy trainer in Washington state, told NPR's Martin Kaste that to have a larger response from law enforcement is safer, both for officers and for the protesters. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 8 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see controversy

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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