1
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
tried to avoid controversial topics over the holiday dinner table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polemical
given to arguing
controversial by temperament, she's the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversial
Kimmel was previously suspended last September for one week after controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
—
Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
The controversial project to add toll lanes along an 11-mile stretch of I-77 South is the single most important issue that Bokhari and Egleston said will sway the mayoral result.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Your policies are also controversial.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Construction on a controversial project to put tiny sleeping cabins for homeless individuals in Lemon Grove is schedued to begin Monday.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
The controversial project to add toll lanes along an 11-mile stretch of I-77 South is the single most important issue that Bokhari and Egleston said will sway the mayoral result.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Your policies are also controversial.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Construction on a controversial project to put tiny sleeping cabins for homeless individuals in Lemon Grove is schedued to begin Monday.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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Just getting to this point, with passage out of the House, has been contentious, says Andrew Schmidt, director of governmental affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The contentious exchange did not result in a handshake between the Israeli and Palestinian representatives, nor a photo featuring the two, but instead a plea from Infantino for the two nations to take part in an Under-15 tournament organized by FIFA in the future.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Colleges and universities nationwide continue to grapple with polemic issues associated with the fair treatment of individuals of differing backgrounds, political persuasions, and sexuality.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Gregory Bovino, the controversial head of aggressive enforcement activities in Chicago and Minneapolis, resigned from the agency.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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That approach, paired with more outreach to Black residents, may help increase the city’s affordable housing stock and close the gap in Black homeownership, though some city council members have urged a more aggressive push on affordable housing.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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