1
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
tried to avoid controversial topics over the holiday dinner table
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2
as in aggressive
given to arguing
controversial by temperament, she's the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship
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Recent Examples of controversial
This is not at all a political statement, but simply a fact: Elon Musk's new role in government is controversial.
—
Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Part of it has always been how private Moss has been, and part of it has been her ties to the Church of Scientology, which have always been very controversial.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 8 Apr. 2025
Yoon was removed from office after his controversial decision to impose martial law in the wake of mass protests—a move that was widely condemned at home and abroad.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
The outcome could be a litmus test for Trump's influence and the role of Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Part of it has always been how private Moss has been, and part of it has been her ties to the Church of Scientology, which have always been very controversial.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 8 Apr. 2025
Yoon was removed from office after his controversial decision to impose martial law in the wake of mass protests—a move that was widely condemned at home and abroad.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
The outcome could be a litmus test for Trump's influence and the role of Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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