controversy

[kon-truh-vur-see, kuhn-trov-er-see]

noun

plural

controversies 

1. a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion.

   Synonyms: altercation, disagreement

2. contention, strife, or argument.

   Synonyms: wrangle, quarrel

controversy

/ kənˈtrɒvəsɪ, ˈkɒntrəˌvɜːsɪ, ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl /

noun

1. dispute, argument, or debate, esp one concerning a matter about which there is strong disagreement and esp one carried on in public or in the press

Other Word Forms

• controversialism noun
• controversially adverb
• controversial adjective
• controversialist noun
• precontroversy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of controversy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of controversy¹

C14: from Latin contrōversia, from contrōversus turned in an opposite direction, from _contra- + vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See argument.

Example Sentences

Christian Pulisic stirred up controversy by not playing for the U.S. in the Gold Cup.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And now, news of the latest recess allowance hike - which kicked in on 3 October - has renewed controversy around this.

Read more on BBC

The industry's silence was strategic, he suggests, driven by market pressures and legal liability -- echoing past controversies like Merck's handling of Vioxx.

Read more on Science Daily

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged controversy over his handling of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal Sunday, but called for their imminent release to be a moment of unity.

Read more on Barron's

But the directive is already sparking legal and political controversy.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• argument 
• bickering 
• difference 
• discussion 
• fuss 
• quarrel 
• squabble 
• strife 
• wrangle 
• wrangling www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

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.