controversy
Americannoun
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controversies
plural
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a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion.
- Synonyms:
- altercation, disagreement
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contention, strife, or argument.
noun
Usage
What does controversy mean? A controversy is a prolonged dispute, debate, or state of contention, especially one that unfolds in public and involves a stark difference of opinion. Controversy can refer to a specific dispute, as in The recent controversy started three weeks ago, or a general state of contention, as in Important literature usually results in controversy. The adjective form controversial is used to describe someone or something that causes people to get upset and argue. Example: The controversy surrounding the candidate’s past remarks has overshadowed the campaign.
Synonym Usage
See argument.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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controversialismnoun
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controversialistnoun
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precontroversynoun
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controversialadjective
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controversiallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of controversy
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English controversie, from Anglo-French, from Latin contrōversia, from contrōvers(us) “turned against, disputed” ( contrō-, variant of contrā “against” + versus “turned,” past participle of vertere “to turn”) + -ia -y 3
Explanation
A controversy is a dispute or argument in which people express strong opposing views. When a popular TV show kills off a well-loved character, there's bound to be a lot of controversy. Controversy means a quarrel (often public) involving strong disagreement, but the topic can be as unimportant as a new movie. There might be a controversy in the pages of fashion magazines over whether shorter hems are really in style, or about wearing white after Labor Day. Controversy is from the Latin contrōversus, "turned in an opposite direction," from the prefix contrā, "against," plus versus, a form of vertere, "to turn."
Vocabulary lists containing controversy
The Bill of Rights
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3
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Against All Odds: Contra and Counter
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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.
See Examples For:
“There’s misinformation circulating online today about Girl Scouts and religion,” the organization said in a statement responding to the controversy.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
A flashpoint in the controversy is the private Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County, where some 1,500 detainees are held.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Debates over what women should - and shouldn't - wear have also repeatedly sparked controversy in India.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Mr. Barnett’s jaunty tone occasionally slips into glibness, which caused a controversy when “Make Believe” was published this spring.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
If you assume that there is no major change without controversy, then your central assumption is never tested.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
“Typically, single-ad controversies blow over after a few news cycles,” Justin Ehrlich, associate professor of sport analytics at Syracuse University, told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
The controversies have coincided with a drop in Reform polling support and in popularity for Farage, long a divisive figure loved and loathed in largely equal measure.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
In a statement posted to social media, the KFA said: "We offer our deepest apologies for the disappointment and concern caused by the various controversies."
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
You are likely already familiar with Piker’s controversies.
From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026
Once you understand that prescriptive rules are the conventions of a specialized form of the language, most of the iptivist controversies evaporate.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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.
