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

When news outlets treat trans lives as controversial subject matter rather than communities under attack, they contribute to the very climate that makes violence and discrimination more likely.

Read more on Salon

It will also issue a call option for the Defense Department to buy more shares in Trilogy from South32 once a controversial 211-mile access road to the minerals-rich Ambler region is built.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"You must allow people to express their views on really controversial topics, because alternatively, there will be no alternative to violence," Mr Ahmed said.

Read more on BBC

The tools are controversial, prompting concerns from developers and backlash from some fans.

Read more on BBC

I was traveling for another story, but enough readers have emailed me that I figure it’s time to bravely hop off the sidelines and weigh in with an extremely controversial opinion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.