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Which novel was once considered so controversial that it was censored?

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controversial

American  

[kon-truh-vur-shuhl] / ˌkɒn trəˈvɜr ʃəl /

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.

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

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Etymology

Origin of controversial

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

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Explanation

If a politician ran for office on the platform that children should be put to work from age six, his platform is likely to be controversial, meaning it will cause controversy, or a long discussion among people with opposing opinions. Controversies are usually public disagreements about important matters. The adjective controversial is from the Latin from controversus "disputed," formed from the prefix contra- "against" plus versus, from vertere "to turn." The Latin suffix –ialis, corresponding to the English suffixes –ial and –al, means "relating to or characterized by."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

controversial

There’s even a controversial conservative in their midst: essayist George Schuyler, who once argued against a “Negro art,” got righteous pushback from Langston Hughes and who doesn’t seem entirely comfortable to be there.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

Energy security concerns helped push the U.K. government to approve the controversial gas field Jackdaw on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

The UK government said Wednesday that it had approved plans to begin drilling in a controversial new gas field in the North Sea, ending months of speculation about the future of the site.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

Portugal forward Ronaldo was in his second spell at United when Ten Hag took charge in the summer of 2022 but left in controversial circumstances a few months later.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

One of the small ways Stanton showed solidarity with her feminist friends was to wear “bloomers,” the controversial new fashion, a below-the-knee skirt worn over loosely fitting pants.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

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Related Words

• contentious
• disputed
• dubious
• questionable

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