controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē How to pronounce controversy (audio)
 British also  kən-ˈträ-və-sē
plural controversies
1
: a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute
The decision aroused a controversy among the students.
2

Examples of controversy in a Sentence

The decision aroused much controversy among the students. The new movie is a subject of controversy. There is controversy surrounding the team's decision to trade the star pitcher. The controversy is over whether he should be fired or not. A controversy arose over the new law.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Kimmel controversy underscores how politicized opinions and comments around Kirk’s murder have become, with high-profile campaigns urging employers to fire people who make comments perceived as unflattering about Kirk. Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 Bluebonnet Reading’s biblical content creates controversy Religion professors from Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University have analyzed the curriculum, which has little acknowledgement of other religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025 Speaking on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, the comedian reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding Kimmel, who was suspended from Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 His only guest was Glen Powell, a rising movie star so noncontroversial that even his weird promotional non-fling with Sydney Sweeney couldn’t generate much in the way of controversy, shilling for a series about that most American of passions, college football. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for controversy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English controversie, from Anglo-French, from Latin controversia, from controversus disputable, literally, turned against, from contro- (akin to contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of controversy was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversy. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

controversy

noun
con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē How to pronounce controversy (audio)
plural controversies
1
: a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute
2
Etymology

Middle English controversie, from early French (same meaning), from Latin controversia "act or cause of disagreeing, dispute," literally, "something turned against or to the contrary," from contro-, contra- "against, contrary" and versus "turned," from vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse, divert, versatile

Legal Definition

controversy

noun
plural controversies
1
: a state of dispute or disagreement
suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollarsU.S. Constitution amend. VII
2
: a civil action involving a real and immediate dispute between parties with adverse interests

Note: Article III of the U.S. Constitution gives the judiciary the power to decide cases and controversies. Article III's limitation of the judicial power to cases or controversies requires that an action brought in the federal court involve parties with standing to sue and questions that are ripe and not moot.

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