Synonyms of controversial

controversial

adjective

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 

1

as in contentious

relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions

tried to avoid controversial topics over the holiday dinner table

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contentious
• polemic
• polemical
• difficult
• tough
• problematic
• argumentative
• problematical
• hot-button
• disputatious
• thorny
• touchy
• knotty
• ticklish
• spiny
• delicate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• safe
• indisputable
• undeniable
• unquestionable
• noncontroversial
• uncontroversial
• incontestable
• incontrovertible
• indubitable
• irrefutable
• undisputed
• uncontested

2

as in aggressive

given to arguing

controversial by temperament, she's the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contentious
• aggressive
• polemic
• polemical
• militant
• stubborn
• irritable
• argumentative
• unreasonable
• disputatious
• scrappy
• quarrelsome
• willful
• combative
• pugnacious
• resistant
• fighting
• belligerent
• rude
• warlike
• feisty
• contrary
• bellicose
• gladiatorial
• cross
• fractious
• disagreeable
• wayward
• truculent
• acidic
• surly
• intractable
• uncompromising
• ornery
• uncooperative
• balky
• perverse
• wilful
• recalcitrant
• obstinate
• disobedient
• battling
• restive
• cantankerous
• irascible
• refractory
• touchy
• splenetic
• insubordinate
• peevish
• testy
• captious
• petulant
• headstrong
• obdurate
• warring
• fretful
• bilious
• unbending
• mulish
• waspish
• grumpy
• querulous
• dyspeptic
• unyielding
• snappish
• grouchy
• hardheaded
• huffy
• pettish
• froward
• choleric
• bearish
• ill-tempered
• crabby
• pigheaded
• ill-humored
• cranky
• ill-natured
• self-willed
• snappy
• self-opinionated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• friendly
• benevolent
• amiable
• cooperative
• gracious
• amicable
• good-natured
• affable
• easygoing
• cordial
• agreeable
• amenable
• genial
• conciliatory
• sociable
• compliant
• ingratiating
• complying
• acquiescent
• complaisant
• docile
• tractable
• peaceful
• good-tempered
• obedient
• submissive
• peaceable
• obliging
• pacific

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of controversial

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved the permits for a controversial pipeline through a portion of Wisconsin's Northwoods. —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

The update gives nods to the original (like casting Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her role as Anita in Wise’s film) while improving on some of its controversial aspects (like casting Natalie Wood in the role of a Puerto Rican teen). —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Gabbard has taken other controversial stances on foreign policy matters. —Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024

Adding more gasoline to the fire, a controversial jail diversion project — which both candidates opposed — near the district’s borders became a political issue in the race. —Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024