controversy
Americannoun
plural
controversies-
a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion.
- Synonyms:
- altercation, disagreement
-
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.
Related Words
See argument.
Other Word Forms
- controversial adjective
- controversialism noun
- controversialist noun
- controversially adverb
- precontroversy noun
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
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.
The controversy comes as it has become clear that AI is now a critical pillar of the U.S. economy and its military practices — a strategic asset for the nation on the world stage.
From MarketWatch
But his history of public controversy stretches back to at least 1991, when a memo he wrote while serving as the World Bank’s chief economist appeared to justify sending toxic waste to poorer countries.
From Salon
Pitch@Palace was later involved in a storm of controversy after the co-founder of the China arm, Yang Tengbo, was banned from the UK because he was suspected of being a spy – which he denies.
From BBC
In moments of controversy, the backseat car image can carry a particularly sharp edge - because it often presents the celebrity in an unflattering way.
From BBC
The Federal Reserve’s literal halls of power have become a source of surprising interest in recent months due to a controversy over the institution’s office renovations in Washington.
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.
