controversial

[kon-truh-vur-shuhl]

adjective

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.

given to controversy; argumentative; disputatious: a controversial public figure.

Origin of controversial

1575–85; < Late Latin contrōversiālis, equivalent to Latin contrōversi(a) controversy + -ālis -al¹

Related formscon·tro·ver·sial·ism, nouncon·tro·ver·sial·ist, nouncon·tro·ver·sial·ly, adverbnon·con·tro·ver·sial, adjectivenon·con·tro·ver·sial·ly, adverbpre·con·tro·ver·sial, adjectiveun·con·tro·ver·sial, adjectiveun·con·tro·ver·sial·ly, adverb

Synonyms for controversial

2. arguable, questionable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for noncontroversial

Contemporary Examples of noncontroversial

By that classic, and noncontroversial, definition, what the Obama administration is contemplating in Syria is absolutely war.
This Is War and Why John Kerry’s Rhetoric Isn’t Convincing
Peter Beinart
September 4, 2013
Move on noncontroversial nominations to courts and executive agencies.
How Congress Can Redeem Itself
Jill Lawrence
August 3, 2011

Historical Examples of noncontroversial

There's no such thing as an effective and a noncontroversial reorganization and reform.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006
Various

British Dictionary definitions for noncontroversial

noncontroversial

adjective

not causing dispute, argument, debate, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for noncontroversial

controversial

adj.

1580s, from Late Latin controversialis "pertaining to controversy," from Latin controversia (see controversy).