controversial
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of controversy, or prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; polemical.
a controversial book.
-
subject to controversy; debatable.
a controversial decision.
- Synonyms:
- questionable, arguable
-
given to controversy; argumentative; disputatious.
a controversial public figure.
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
Etymology
Origin of controversial
First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin contrōversiālis; equivalent to controversy + -al 1
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."
Vocabulary lists containing controversial
Against All Odds: Contra and Counter
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Nothing But the Truth
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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although many Australians feed wild birds, the practice is controversial.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026
"Whatever the legal and political arguments surrounding his case, the basic decency of ensuring a court-ordered medical process is actually completed is not, in our view, a controversial request."
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
On Monday, a Justice Department internal watchdog announced a review of this controversial tactic, which may have resulted in overdose deaths and/or injuries, which are exactly what the DEA is supposed to prevent.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026
On Friday, with a lower-court order about to go into effect halting construction on the controversial project, Chief Justice John G. Roberts decided that the court needed more time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
“It’s safe and tame by today’s standards. But it was controversial then.”
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
