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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of controversy
There’s an innocence about the film that works, and despite what some critics or controversy farmers might say, kids should find this movie enchanting.
—
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
She might be played by the incomparable Ellen Pompeo in Good American Family, but Kristine Barnett is keeping a low-key profile ever since her adoption controversy.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025
The comments follow an Oscar season dominated by controversy over years-old resurfaced tweets from Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Candidates for the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education spoke about academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, college counseling and a yearbook controversy at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on March 16 at the Northbrook Public Library.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
She might be played by the incomparable Ellen Pompeo in Good American Family, but Kristine Barnett is keeping a low-key profile ever since her adoption controversy.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025
The comments follow an Oscar season dominated by controversy over years-old resurfaced tweets from Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Candidates for the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education spoke about academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, college counseling and a yearbook controversy at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on March 16 at the Northbrook Public Library.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
-
The eased transit visa rules can’t hide geopolitical differences between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan and the South China Sea, as well as over economic policies and spying, among other disputes.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
According to Smith, police responded to a call about a dispute with a weapon at a home and then set up a perimeter outside the house after a man shut the door on officers.—
Katie Atkinson,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Plus, Chris Christie on the debate over presidential powers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2025
-
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The two then had an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over and Villalobos fled, according to authorities.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Although officially estranged, the couple were still living together with their three sons under the age of 11 at the time of the July 16, 2023, altercation outside their house.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
In a Thursday, March 20 trailer, fans of Sister Wives got a sneak peek of what’s to come in the second half of season 19 — and further insight into Meri and Kody's disagreement concerning the Flagstaff, Ariz., compound.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
But there are a lot of obstacles to overcome first, such as sharp disagreements over territory and Ukraine's future security.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The basketball star has a reputation for being able to silence media noise in the most crucial moments, but the family element of this quarrel seems to have hit a little too close to home this time.—
Christian Orozco,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Carter’s eleventh-hour time line seems to be wrong, but the matter won’t be settled by these quarrels.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Take that assumption away and Fermi’s argument breaks down, resolving the paradox.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Apologizing for your role in an argument—which doesn’t mean taking all of the blame—is a shortcut to a peaceful resolution.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Can blue cities and states, nonprofits and good-hearted corporations keep up the fight without any federal help?—
Bill Weir,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
-
This is not the moment to slow down the fight or turn our backs on TB.—
Peter Sands,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share