controversies

noun

plural of controversy
1
as in disputes
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in disputations
variance of opinion on a matter there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of controversies What readers are saying The conversation explores the complexities and controversies surrounding a rancher's decision to sell shares of his cattle herd, which led to regulatory scrutiny. — Abby Shalekbriski, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 The ad is made completely with AI and shows Shapiro touting his biggest controversies as governor. — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Despite the controversies and indictments, the league still views legalized sports gambling, and now prediction markets, as its best option. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The Kleins are a commentary YouTube and podcasting family who have managed to be at the center of several controversies and friendship breakups over the years. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026 But Lago’s primary rivalry has been with Castro, who has weathered her own controversies in recent months. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 During her four-year term on the Gardena City Council that ended this year, Love was at the center of several controversies. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Outside of the criminal charges, Peters has been at the center of many controversies, including allegedly shooting a dead alligator in Florida. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 While the show is beloved, its legacy has also been marred with a series of tragedies and controversies, both on and off screen. — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
  1. disputes
  2. disputations
  3. disagreements
  4. debates
  5. quarrels
  6. differences
  7. altercations
  8. arguments
Noun
  • This means the choice should be somebody who, for instance, isn’t going to sound off divisively about politics, get into messy domestic disputes or start going on public benders.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The column warns that the disputes could extend beyond the election, potentially providing grounds to challenge results or undermine their legitimacy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of disputes
Noun
  • This contestation takes place through philosophical debates, religious disputations, and public discussions, whether direct or indirect, open or clandestine.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of disputations
Noun
  • But deep disagreements over territory and security guarantees that re-emerged this week underscore obstacles to ending the war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Both blame each other for the fiery fights, with Lago saying that disagreements between commissioners used to be more civil before Castro and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez were elected in 2023.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of disagreements
Noun
  • The existential debates happening around ASL aren’t just about fair treatment from hearing people.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Take the quiz here ⦠LISTEN Tune in as Florida's race for governor heats up, with rising living costs, property taxes, insurance rates, and campaign debates taking center stage.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of debates
Noun
  • The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.
    — THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrels
Noun
  • Eating disorders and disordered eating bring in this additional layer of societal and structural differences in gender and the gendered norms that can also influence health.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The moon owes its varying gradation to differences in surface composition and age — something Petro’s team plans to explore in the Artemis mission slated for June 2027.
    — Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of differences
Noun
  • Other witnesses, including friends of Smith and Parker, recalled past altercations between the couple.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Images showed altercations between police and protesters, with officers using batons to strike demonstrators, who threw barriers.
    — Joseph Wilson, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercations
Noun
  • During a prolonged municipal review, one faction of residents called on officials to let Costco build while another lobbied to scuttle the plan — all citing many of the arguments being made in the BJ’s case now.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
  • At the meeting with regulators, company representatives reiterated these arguments.
    — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguments

Browse Nearby Words

controversial
controversies
controversy
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Cite this Entry

“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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