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
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Recent Examples of controversy
McDavid already raised controversy across the hockey world for another dangerous play against Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson on Wednesday, who got a concussion after McDavid delivered a high hit.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Pardoned Susan McDougal, his former Whitewater business partner, and three others involved in an Arkansas real estate controversy.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
However, further controversy ensued between the duo thereafter, including public arguments back and forth online.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
At the height of the controversy, the Stauffers deleted both their family vlogging channel and Myka’s personal channel that still featured family content.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for controversy 
David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Pardoned Susan McDougal, his former Whitewater business partner, and three others involved in an Arkansas real estate controversy.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
However, further controversy ensued between the duo thereafter, including public arguments back and forth online.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
At the height of the controversy, the Stauffers deleted both their family vlogging channel and Myka’s personal channel that still featured family content.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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While In Office By Zoltan Istvan Author 0 Today, there are developers around the world working on creating artificial intelligence (AI) agents that can autonomously do millions of useful things, like book airline tickets, dispute credit card charges, and even trade crypto.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott announced last month that San Diego and SeaWorld, following a nearly three-year-long rent dispute, had finally reached a settlement.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The case underscores growing national debates about religious liberty, public funding for education, and the intersection of state action with constitutional protections.—
Kaelan Deese,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
24 Jan. 2025
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Connecticut tenants revived an effort Thursday to expand protections against no-fault evictions, signaling the start of what will likely be a contentious debate during this year’s General Assembly session over the government’s role in regulating the landlord-tenant relationship.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Video shown in court in November showed a group of men, two of whom officials identified as Rocky and Ephron, involved in a verbal altercation, according to The Associated Press.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
19 Jan. 2025
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Zarka was accused of fatally stabbing Garrity to death after the two engaged in a physical altercation.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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
-
Peace-makers are threatened by disagreements and go along with the group to create harmony and keep the peace.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
-
The case doesn’t have the customary hallmarks of cases that warrant Supreme Court action, Greely told me, such as disagreements among appellate circuits requiring resolution.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The House has been thrust into a political quarrel after voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans in November.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2025
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For the 34th time in two years cops have been called by frightened neighbors or Hollis herself to quell the volcanic quarrels inside Peppermill Apartments unit B-312.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That was Howe’s argument on the training pitch, urging his players to prove that Bournemouth defeat was a blip.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
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Collins said the timeline did not support the government’s argument.—
Jim Talamonti | The Center Square contributor,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Rancho Santa Fe School District is leading an effort to support members of the Los Angeles community impacted by the devastating wildfires, and the local heroes from Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District who have been deployed to help in the fight.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2025
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Bobby Templin — whose hand was fractured in prison two years ago — admitted Tuesday afternoon to hitting a correctional officer during a January 2023 fight at the Idaho State Correctional Center.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near controversy
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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