controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 
-ˈvər-sē-əl
1
: of, relating to, or arousing controversy
a controversial policy
a controversial film
2
: given to controversy : disputatious
a controversial temperament
The controversial biologist caused a ferment among his colleagues.
controversially
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of controversial in a Sentence
Abortion is a highly controversial subject.
a decision that remains controversial
He is a controversial author.
Recent Examples on the Web
Democrats are convinced much of the electorate isn't aware of Kennedy's controversial positions and theories or that he's boosted financially by a Trump Super PAC's largest donor.
—
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Does a thank you in the credits to a controversial journalist whose right-wing writing undoubtedly informed Garland’s thinking while making Civil War suggest the film is aligned with TERFism?
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
What to know about Brandy Melville's controversial CEO, Stephan Marsan
Little is known about Marsan, who keeps a basically nonexistent profile online.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
In one of the most anticipated and controversial rulings in American history, Simpson was acquitted of the double murder charges, famously prompting a stunned look on Kardashian’s face when the judge announced the verdict.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
Find out what happened to the key players following the controversial verdict that ended one of the most explosive events of the 20th century.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
He was acquitted of both murders in a controversial verdict.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Simpson was found not guilty in a controversial verdict after a trial that enthralled America for months in 1995.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
Scientists have spent decades studying how to best tackle the idea of decreasing the planet’s temperature through solar geoengineering techniques — one of the world’s most controversial climate solutions.
—Ayurella Horn-Muller, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Does a thank you in the credits to a controversial journalist whose right-wing writing undoubtedly informed Garland’s thinking while making Civil War suggest the film is aligned with TERFism?
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
What to know about Brandy Melville's controversial CEO, Stephan Marsan
Little is known about Marsan, who keeps a basically nonexistent profile online.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
In one of the most anticipated and controversial rulings in American history, Simpson was acquitted of the double murder charges, famously prompting a stunned look on Kardashian’s face when the judge announced the verdict.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
Find out what happened to the key players following the controversial verdict that ended one of the most explosive events of the 20th century.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
He was acquitted of both murders in a controversial verdict.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Simpson was found not guilty in a controversial verdict after a trial that enthralled America for months in 1995.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
Scientists have spent decades studying how to best tackle the idea of decreasing the planet’s temperature through solar geoengineering techniques — one of the world’s most controversial climate solutions.
—Ayurella Horn-Muller, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'controversial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl
-ˈvər-sē-əl
: relating to or causing controversy
a controversial movie
controversially
adverb
-ē
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