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

Last year, El Salvador opened a controversial new maximum security prison for alleged gang members, known as the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025

Beyond its controversial subjects, the film only received a 19% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. —Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025

Most political observers understood the controversial issues that she would be questioned about in advance. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

The once controversial color combination was spotted all over Copenhagen’s sleekest showgoers. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025

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