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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversy
The Whitecaps’ match on Nov. 5 ended in controversy, as Ford blocked a Whitecaps player from picking up a loose ball on a corner kick, contributing to an LAFC counter-attack that ended in a goal that was eventually ruled out for offside.
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Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
In purple North Carolina, the first bathroom-bill controversy ended with the bill in question being rolled back under a Democratic governor.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
The film’s press tour did amass online controversy with an apparent feud between Lively and Baldoni leaving doubt about whether the two will ever work together again.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024
The two have continued to play together this season amid the ongoing controversy but have had seven matches on their schedule forfeited.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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The paper trail is your best defense in case of disputes later on.Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
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In noting that any outcome of the trial would be appealed by the losing side, Ezra effectively acknowledged Abbott's assertion at the start of the legal dispute.John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Whether any of those 3s qualified as a legitimate step-back is open for debate.Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
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Democrats have faced a bitterly disappointing defeat, and the debate is on about why that happened.Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The complaint says police reviewed security footage of the altercation, which correlated with the girlfriend's telling of the incident, That occurred about a month before Graves is alleged to have shot and killed Quincy Smith.David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024
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Lucy and Future Quinn get into a physical altercation, which ultimately ends with the killer's death.Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2023
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And yet there is one aspect of the book which was notable: a disputation of the Richard Wrangham's work in Demonic Males.Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2013
Noun
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There will be plenty of political disagreements at the dinner table this year.Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
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If Trump faced significant challenges in his administration, such as policy disagreements, public controversy or management style clashes, speculation could arise about who might bite the bullet first.Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The early attack foreshadowed years of quarrels between the two, one a political novice and the other a veteran machine politician.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
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Daemon has sent no ravens since his arrival; no ravens means a quarrel with the wife.Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 July 2024
Noun
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Both the prosecution and now the defense have rested in Richard Allen's murder trial in Delphi, Indiana, setting the stage for closing arguments Thursday.Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Nov. 2024
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The argument is also awkward for Warner Bros. Discovery, given Rowling and Oliver are effectively colleagues.Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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This approach also raises questions about whether Trump would encourage his Justice Department to let up the fight to break up Google, and how the DOJ would handle ongoing antitrust cases against tech giants, including Apple.Clare Duffy, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
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Hence, their fight for cultural survival is also a global fight against deforestation and climate destruction.Nemonte Nenquimo, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near controversy
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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