1
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in debate
variance of opinion on a matter
there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversy
Walker’s campaign, however, was plagued by controversies and baffling and false statements.
—
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
This full-court press was once a phenomenon of the autumn election season every four years, but Arizonans had barely moved past the controversies of the last two election cycles when the next one began.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Harris' camp has echoed her closing message of unity while still going on offense to capitalize on Trump's recent controversies and gaffes.
—Axios, 3 Nov. 2024
Di Placido covers TikTok and Twitter trends, breaking down interesting conversations and controversies
...
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversy 
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
This full-court press was once a phenomenon of the autumn election season every four years, but Arizonans had barely moved past the controversies of the last two election cycles when the next one began.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Harris' camp has echoed her closing message of unity while still going on offense to capitalize on Trump's recent controversies and gaffes.
—Axios, 3 Nov. 2024
Di Placido covers TikTok and Twitter trends, breaking down interesting conversations and controversies
...
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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Ties have been at their lowest point in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Yet, none of that was seen on ABC by the millions who subscribe to DirecTV as Disney was in a contract dispute with the satellite provider at the time.Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Whether any of those 3s qualified as a legitimate step-back is open for debate.Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
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Democrats have faced a bitterly disappointing defeat, and the debate is on about why that happened.Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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An Arkansas State Police officer was arrested Tuesday following an altercation with his wife. Sgt.Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Embiid got into an altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after the 76ers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2023
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And yet there is one aspect of the book which was notable: a disputation of the Richard Wrangham's work in Demonic Males.Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2013
Noun
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Miss Manners notes that this is not a political disagreement, nor a misunderstanding, nor a private thought that was not meant for public consumption, nor a joke gone wrong.Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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Negotiations have been rife with disagreement when the states have come together, such as in early 2023, when six of the states in the basin united to propose a plan for water conservation.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The farmers’ quarrels with vampires make sense, especially in smaller cattle herds, where losing even one cow can significantly hurt a farmer’s livelihood.Sebastian Stockmaier, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
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Khodr was concerned about rising tensions between the two communities competing for limited aid, and opened separate shelters to avoid quarrels; fifty-nine for Lebanese and five for Syrians.Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Both the prosecution and now the defense have rested in Richard Allen's murder trial in Delphi, Indiana, setting the stage for closing arguments Thursday.Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Nov. 2024
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The argument is also awkward for Warner Bros. Discovery, given Rowling and Oliver are effectively colleagues.Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Witnesses and surveillance video footage established that there were multiple fights involving the concerned parties throughout the evening.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
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But once the fight ended, Talley said things calmed down and after some time even more people congregated in the parking lot.Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near controversy
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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