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
Dímelo King, celebrated for bridging music and digital storytelling in Colombia, brings a bold and controversy-ready approach, with episodes featuring artists such as Akapellah sparking debates on the authenticity of rap.
—
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
The Pan Was Made Before 2015 Remember the Teflon controversy?
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Whitney Cummings is weighing in on the Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Jenner has not spoken out about the controversy.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
The Pan Was Made Before 2015 Remember the Teflon controversy?
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Whitney Cummings is weighing in on the Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Jenner has not spoken out about the controversy.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
-
Payment of the penalty isn’t required until after the dispute resolution process is complete, a state spokesperson said.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Other refinements could include a dispute resolution mechanism and a joint task force to assess project viability.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Roughly halfway through the hour-long debate — largely characterized by frequent interruptions from Earle-Sears — Spanberger criticized Earle-Sears’ history of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
10 Oct. 2025
-
There are also round tables and debates between professionals and activists from different fields – Brazilian and foreign – to discuss important contemporary environmental issues.—
Marcelo Cajueiro,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Branch is likely going to get a fine for his role in the altercation with a possible suspension coming too.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The altercation between Branch and Smith-Schuster started a brawl, with multiple players on each team getting into the fight.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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
-
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
Noun
-
Emmer acknowledged the disagreements but didn’t dwell on them.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Oct. 2025
-
There remain many disagreements in detail but hardly any in essence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While still unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Hip-Hop has equally thrived on legendary quarrels and strong relationships.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Historical police data shows arguments or fights escalating was a factor in about 29% of all homicides in the city since 2020.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In a 21-page motion, the 22-year-old Robinson's attorneys invoked Idaho student murderer Bryan Kohberger's case in their argument that the motion would preserve his constitutional rights to a fair trial.—
Michael Ruiz , Lee Ross,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The doctor finds her and tries to inject her, but Ben comes up from behind, and the two fight.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Joe Biden 'optimistic' in cancer fight Former President Joe Biden is now receiving radiation therapy for his prostate cancer, a spokesperson for the former president confirmed to ABC News.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share