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
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Recent Examples of controversy
The biggest of these controversies erupted in April after the president shared a post depicting himself as Jesus Christ, amid his feud with Pope Leo XIV.
—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The complex, shrouded in mystery, is at least 2,3000 acres and has garnered controversy for being located on a native burial site, Wired reported last year.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
The red card has drawn additional controversy after multiple analysts, including Fox’s Alexi Lalas, drew parallels between Balogun’s play and a similar play from Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi that did not receive a foul in a different game.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
The family has faced a number of controversies following Kate and Jon's split.
—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The complex, shrouded in mystery, is at least 2,3000 acres and has garnered controversy for being located on a native burial site, Wired reported last year.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
The red card has drawn additional controversy after multiple analysts, including Fox’s Alexi Lalas, drew parallels between Balogun’s play and a similar play from Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi that did not receive a foul in a different game.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
The family has faced a number of controversies following Kate and Jon's split.
—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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Herzog won a power struggle in the front office, then quit anyway, amid disputes with ownership.
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The court was established in 2001 and began functioning four years later as both an international court to settle disputes among Caribbean countries and as a final court of appeal.
Noun
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And a red card against an American soccer star sparks debate.
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But most companies run scenario-planning exercises, only to rehearse their debates about what to do once a crisis hits.
Noun
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The altercation involving Sandoval, Robinson and her father happened in the early morning hours after the couple returned home from a night out at a bar, according to both accounts.
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Angelo and the woman’s fiancé got into a brief altercation that resulted in an exchange of gunfire.
Noun
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This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
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According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
Noun
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Some states chose not to send representatives; several of them cited disagreements with the partisan mission.
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The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
Noun
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The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
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Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
Noun
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But Erwin Chemerinsky, Berkeley’s law school dean, said Trump still won most of the cases the court decided either after oral arguments or through emergency appeals the administration brought.
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Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle told KTVI that the incident happened after an argument erupted inside the BP gas station at South Florissant and Woodstock roads.
Noun
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What is clear is that centrist Democrats haven’t mounted much of a fight.
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Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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