controversy

noun

ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē How to pronounce controversy (audio)
Definition of controversynext
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 As a parent who has purchased my share of scary Halloween costumes, I was particularly disturbed by the controversy now engulfing Target. — Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026 That came in the wake of the controversy between FanDuel and Phillies’ star Bryce Harper; FanDuel used a personalized greeting from Harper to a VIP user in late 2024 without receiving Harper’s approval. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Lawmaker Mapamboli said the Eurobond controversy underscored DR Congo’s challenges in managing projects and absorbing financing. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Across those years, Pereira’s conduct generated controversies and public disputes throughout Toronto’s film community. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
  1. dispute
  2. debate
  3. altercation
  4. disputation
  5. disagreement
  6. quarrel
  7. argument
  8. fight
Noun
  • Witnesses told police the suspects got into a dispute with the victim at his car and shot him.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For many in Canada, the dispute raises concerns about American interference with Canada’s national identity.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • While the referendum debate has almost entirely centered on the economy – for example, the potential impact of joining the Eurozone and changing fishing policy – the vote is not happening in a vacuum.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their debates can get heated, but Gray, who describes himself as a conflict-averse person in a high-conflict business, says the criticism should never be personal.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh praised Natasha Cloud after she was involved in a verbal altercation with Enes Kanter Freedom.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • According to preliminary findings, the incident stemmed from an altercation between the victim and an adult female at the scene.
    — CBS News Miami Digital Team, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of disputation
Noun
  • Big picture The league and the union are meeting regularly on various topics, but their disagreement on core economics — whether to move to a cap system — leaves little room for progress on the major issues.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • What the disagreement was about Auditors for the city of Atlanta said the transit agency overcharged for enhanced bus service and owed the city $70 million from a fund to pay for new MARTA projects.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • Based on a Joseph Conrad story, the period drama follows two officers in Napoleon’s army (Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel) whose minor quarrel condemns them to 15 years of repeatedly trying to kill each other.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As the quarrel escalated, the man stabbed her multiple times all over her body in the park near Eastern Parkway and Rochester Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Computer science emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the following decades, when the research traditions of math and engineering came together, and arguments about the nature of the new field soon followed.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Delphine Boël, 58, eventually won her legal fight and was granted the title of princess.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Lopez has already expressed his ambition to face the winner of the Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn fight next, aiming for an undisputed 147-pound title.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

controversies
controversy
controvert
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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