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
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
Her party joined the national elections in 2018 but boycotted again in 2024, allowing Hasina to return to power for a fourth consecutive time through controversial elections.
—
CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
The seventh episode of Season 5 has been the most controversial because Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) comes out as gay to his friends.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
As another year passes, a whole new batch of British entertainment scandals is immortalized in The Hollywood Reporter‘s overview of a controversial 2025.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Freeman’s pick is a bit controversial given her past at Nike.
—Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
The seventh episode of Season 5 has been the most controversial because Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) comes out as gay to his friends.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
As another year passes, a whole new batch of British entertainment scandals is immortalized in The Hollywood Reporter‘s overview of a controversial 2025.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Freeman’s pick is a bit controversial given her past at Nike.
—Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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