1
as in disputes
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 disputations
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 controversies
Some complaints derive from the film brushing aside many of the late King of Pop’s controversies, while others criticize the factual problems of Michael’s life and career, including missing family members.
—
Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 27 Apr. 2026
The controversies clearly didn’t stop fans from attending, as Michael smashed the all-time record for an opening for a biopic, earning $97 million at the domestic box office and $217 million globally.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Putting aside the controversies surrounding his destruction of the East Wing in that pursuit, the dinner is not named the White House’s Correspondents Dinner.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Unsigned pieces are more likely to allow a reporter to engage in irresponsible reporting, argued John Bertram Askew in a 1911 edition of a periodical that dealt with journalistic controversies, Pros and Cons.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The president has not been as candid with his administration’s own controversies, but watchdogs in executive agencies have scrutinized some of his members.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
This sparked criticism that the film was attempting to whitewash history by largely ignoring the controversies of Jackson's life.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
However, the film only focuses on the beginning of Jackson's career and doesn't cover his two relationships or the controversies that plagued his later years.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
For the filmmakers, the potential sequel could address the controversies of the 1990s.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 27 Apr. 2026
The controversies clearly didn’t stop fans from attending, as Michael smashed the all-time record for an opening for a biopic, earning $97 million at the domestic box office and $217 million globally.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Putting aside the controversies surrounding his destruction of the East Wing in that pursuit, the dinner is not named the White House’s Correspondents Dinner.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Unsigned pieces are more likely to allow a reporter to engage in irresponsible reporting, argued John Bertram Askew in a 1911 edition of a periodical that dealt with journalistic controversies, Pros and Cons.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The president has not been as candid with his administration’s own controversies, but watchdogs in executive agencies have scrutinized some of his members.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
This sparked criticism that the film was attempting to whitewash history by largely ignoring the controversies of Jackson's life.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
However, the film only focuses on the beginning of Jackson's career and doesn't cover his two relationships or the controversies that plagued his later years.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
For the filmmakers, the potential sequel could address the controversies of the 1990s.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
The apparent goal is to discredit accusers in public — then circulate the smears to their social circles — as well as demoralize adversaries amid legal disputes, forcing quiet settlements on preferred terms.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
These conditions have fueled widespread reports of labor exploitation, environmental damage and violent disputes over territory, while mercury contamination from gold extraction has posed serious risks to indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Massie came to Congress as a spending hawk, and more than a decade later, that remains his signature issue and the source of many of his disagreements with GOP leaders.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But six months after a high-profile IPO, the company’s share price has crashed, and its CEO and CFO both left their posts this weekend, reportedly over disagreements about whether to sell the firm (Fermi didn’t respond to a request for comment).—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because debates, facts, and accountability cut through the packaging every single time.—
Heather Somers,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The debates were a nod to the foundation on which Turning Point was built.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And all of those size differences are too small to have any effect on cognitive ability, so Neanderthals could easily be on par with our species there, too.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
These devices also do not have precise depth targeting as in-office devices to really stimulate collagen for noticeable differences in your skin.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Though the large parties associated with Spring Weekend were not sanctioned by UConn, the lawsuit contended that university officials knew about the troubles and potential dangers that would ensue based, in part, on previous altercations that had occurred.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Gardner’s style of play irritated plenty of opponents along the way, too, as he was involved in a few verbal altercations throughout the season with players like Klay Thompson and Scotty Pippen Jr.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During closing arguments, Lynn Johnson, an attorney for Christine and Christopher Nolte, suggested the jury award $10 million for noneconomic damages and $5 million for economic damages.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But this foundation of modern math has inspired fierce arguments since it was first proposed.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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