controversy
noun
Synonyms
Examples of controversy in a Sentence
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, a Senate committee advanced Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management Budget, which has been embroiled in a controversy over pausing federal funding.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The controversy also exposes just how precarious social media has become during awards season — for potential nominees, and for the studios investing small fortunes in getting them to the Dolby Theater.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
What is the controversy about Reagan National Airport?
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Jan. 2025
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Dictionary Entries Near controversy
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversy. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
controversy
noun
Middle English controversie, from early French (same meaning), from Latin controversia "act or cause of disagreeing, dispute," literally, "something turned against or to the contrary," from contro-, contra- "against, contrary" and versus "turned," from vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse, divert, versatile
Legal Definition
controversy
noun
U.S. Constitution amend. VIINote: Article III of the U.S. Constitution gives the judiciary the power to decide cases and controversies. Article III's limitation of the judicial power to cases or controversies requires that an action brought in the federal court involve parties with standing to sue and questions that are ripe and not moot.
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