controversial

[kon-truh-vur-shuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of controversy, or prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; polemical.

   a controversial book.

2. subject to controversy; debatable.

   a controversial decision.

   Synonyms: questionable, arguable

3. given to controversy; argumentative; disputatious.

   a controversial public figure.

Other Word Forms

• controversialism noun
• controversialist noun
• controversially adverb
• noncontroversial adjective
• noncontroversially adverb
• precontroversial adjective
• uncontroversial adjective
• uncontroversially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of controversial¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin contrōversiālis; equivalent to controversy + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Tyson is competing for the first time since ending his 19-year retirement in November in a controversial defeat by Jake Paul.

From BBC

The oil company Shell has submitted a fresh environmental impact assessment for the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.

From BBC

Weiss is a controversial figure, having gained national prominence after leaving the New York Times in 2020 with a viral resignation letter.

From Salon

Thursday’s session marked a peak of bipartisan frustration over a string of controversial decisions by Kennedy that have thrown his department into disarray.

From Los Angeles Times

She also said further claims relating to Ms Peggie undergoing a disciplinary hearing and a controversial media statement released by NHS Fife in July would follow.

From BBC

Related Words

• contentious 
• disputed 
• dubious 
• questionable 

When To Use

What does controversial mean?

Controversial is used to describe someone or something that causes people to get upset and argue.Controversial is the adjective form of the noun controversy, which is a prolonged dispute, debate, or state of contention, especially one that unfolds in public and involves a stark difference of opinion. Things commonly called controversial include topics, actions, and people (particularly for what they say and do).Example: Questions about the candidate’s controversial remarks from the past prevented him from talking about his campaign.