as in to argue
to express different opinions about something often angrily
ever since the poem was first published, critics and scholars have controverted over the meaning of its concluding lines
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Recent Examples of controvert
Those then who controvert the principle that the constitution is to be considered, in court, as a paramount law, are reduced to the necessity of maintaining that courts must close their eyes on the constitution, and see only the law.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Many of those people had been convicted of assaulting police officers, prompting a backlash from Democrats — and even some Republicans — who said Trump’s move controverted Republican claims of being the party that champions law and order and personal responsibility.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025
Even assuming this is true (and this description will be controverted at trial), a monopoly by itself does not violate the antitrust laws.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
The appellate court noted that the woman’s testimony was controverted.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 16 May 2023
During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light.
—Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2017
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Many of those people had been convicted of assaulting police officers, prompting a backlash from Democrats — and even some Republicans — who said Trump’s move controverted Republican claims of being the party that champions law and order and personal responsibility.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025
Even assuming this is true (and this description will be controverted at trial), a monopoly by itself does not violate the antitrust laws.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
The appellate court noted that the woman’s testimony was controverted.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 16 May 2023
During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light.
—Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controvert
Verb
-
Vincent Bugliosi argued—first in court, then in Helter Skelter—that Manson had meant for the murders to incite Helter Skelter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Political observers argue that Hilton’s conservative media profile and Bianco’s law enforcement background resonate with rural and suburban voters on issues like crime and immigration, suggesting their campaigns address genuine policy concerns beyond election denialism.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
While the concrete cured, the starting eight matches of the first-ever World Cup were relocated to Pocitos and Gran Parque Central, the home grounds of capital rivals Peñarol and Nacional, who'd been bickering since their first meeting in July 1900.—
Paul Jebara,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
SpaceX and the Pentagon have been bickering about the price of using Starshield satellite service during the Iran war, according to a Reuters report published today.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Now might not seem the moment for Democrats to be quarrelling, but many of them believe that the only way to build the Party back up is to remake it.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The lack of money has, at times, led to quarrelling between the services - most notably pitting the navy against the army and the Royal Air Force.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Hulst tried to fight his way through traffic, Serna was in unfamiliar territory.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Aspiring journalist Lily’s camera was recording when the OPEF Marines invaded and began killing both Marsies and the Peacekeepers force that was actually aligned with the Marines and fighting against the Marsies.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controvert. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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