1
as in disputes
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disputations
variance of opinion on a matter
there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversies
The musician further stressed that this was a creative choice, rather than anything related to the countless controversies Ye has embroiled himself in these past few years (and is ostensibly trying to move past).
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2026
Athlete Caster Semenya, who has been at the center of many controversies due to her naturally high testosterone level, is calling for others to speak up, including Olympic governing bodies in Africa.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Asked about Paxton, Malik criticized the attorney general’s personal controversies.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Cawthorn’s bumpy two-year ride through Congress included several controversies, including the seemingly debunked claim that he’d been invited to attend a VIP orgy.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
There have been controversies and debates over the extent to which the military should accommodate religious expression.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
His nearly 40-year career, though, has been marked by controversies.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
In the 15 years or so after the New Jersey ruling, courts across the nation saw their own end-of-life controversies and followed the core principles of the Quinlan decision to resolve them.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
The controversies she’s endured after speaking out in support of children in Gaza have led to threats against her family, Accurso told NBC News.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2026
Athlete Caster Semenya, who has been at the center of many controversies due to her naturally high testosterone level, is calling for others to speak up, including Olympic governing bodies in Africa.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Asked about Paxton, Malik criticized the attorney general’s personal controversies.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Cawthorn’s bumpy two-year ride through Congress included several controversies, including the seemingly debunked claim that he’d been invited to attend a VIP orgy.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
There have been controversies and debates over the extent to which the military should accommodate religious expression.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
His nearly 40-year career, though, has been marked by controversies.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
In the 15 years or so after the New Jersey ruling, courts across the nation saw their own end-of-life controversies and followed the core principles of the Quinlan decision to resolve them.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
The controversies she’s endured after speaking out in support of children in Gaza have led to threats against her family, Accurso told NBC News.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
Each lawsuit was a settlement, meaning the city did not lose a lawsuit but instead chose to pay the plaintiff to end litigation and resolve the disputes out of court.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Together with its licensing, rulemaking, and market oversight responsibilities, these enforcement tools help maintain standards within the brokerage industry and provide investors with mechanisms for addressing disputes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The dynamic left senators convinced that the deal was the only way to move past their disagreements and reopen the Homeland Security Department.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
There were disagreements over his war with Iran, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These are sacred debates reflecting the unfinished work of liberation.—
Jesse Jackson Jr,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There may be some debates, election posturing and shenanigans along the way.—
Staff reports,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In an Entertainment Weekly interview published March 31, director Craig Gillespie says the movie will explore the differences between Kara and Clark's upbringings.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Thermal imaging and rugged design for professional use One of the key features of the WP61 series is thermal imaging, which allows users to detect heat signatures and temperature differences.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Multiple defendants, however, appeared to have been hurt in the altercations.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In February, Tobolowsky heard an hour of arguments before denying the motions to dismiss that were filed by two Gateway elders, according to the Texas Lawbook.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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