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
One of the most controversial plays from the game was a fourth-and-inches quarterback sneak by Josh Allen.
—
Scott Thompson, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, was confirmed despite widely being considered one of the most controversial picks.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025
Email echoes controversial Elon Musk Twitter memo Some federal employees fear these buyouts—which critics point out seem influenced by Elon Musk's controversial worker buyouts during his Twitter takeover—may drive out top talent, spike costs, and potentially weaken government.
—Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
Several House and Senate Democrats supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act despite the bill’s controversial measures.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for controversial 
Scott Thompson, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, was confirmed despite widely being considered one of the most controversial picks.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025
Email echoes controversial Elon Musk Twitter memo Some federal employees fear these buyouts—which critics point out seem influenced by Elon Musk's controversial worker buyouts during his Twitter takeover—may drive out top talent, spike costs, and potentially weaken government.
—Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
Several House and Senate Democrats supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act despite the bill’s controversial measures.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for controversial
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Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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