1
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
tried to avoid controversial topics over the holiday dinner table
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2
as in aggressive
given to arguing
controversial by temperament, she's the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship
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Recent Examples of controversial
This post contains details about the fifth and final season of You
Despite his efforts not to romanticize his You character Joe Goldberg, Penn Badgley gave the controversial character a steamy send-off.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
Nevertheless, analysts remain cautious about the brand’s new direction under the controversial designer , whose flagship line is set to hit the catwalk in September.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
The first notion that Nike was allegedly funding was in a New York Times article published over the weekend about the plight of Blaire Fleming – the San Jose State Spartans transgender female volleyball player who played a controversial role in the 2024-25 NCAA women’s volleyball season.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Other Republicans have been put on the defensive by the administration’s handling of the controversial case.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
Nevertheless, analysts remain cautious about the brand’s new direction under the controversial designer , whose flagship line is set to hit the catwalk in September.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
The first notion that Nike was allegedly funding was in a New York Times article published over the weekend about the plight of Blaire Fleming – the San Jose State Spartans transgender female volleyball player who played a controversial role in the 2024-25 NCAA women’s volleyball season.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Other Republicans have been put on the defensive by the administration’s handling of the controversial case.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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