controversial
Noun pluralcontroversials
Pluralcontroversials
- 1Causing strong disagreement, because people hold very different opinions about it.
Like a question that makes friends start arguing about who is right.
The new rule about phones in class turned out to be very controversial.
She made a controversial choice that some people loved and others hated.
Similarcontentious, divisive, disputed, contested, polarizing
Oppositeuncontroversial, uncontentious, undisputed, accepted
Note
- 2Liking to argue with people and quick to start a dispute.
Like a person who turns any quiet chat into a debate.
He had a controversial streak and argued about almost everything at dinner.
Her controversial manner meant she challenged every idea the group raised.
Similarargumentative, contentious, combative, quarrelsome, disputatious
Oppositeagreeable, conciliatory, accommodating
Note
- 3A person or thing that causes strong disagreement among people.
Like a hot topic that everyone in town keeps arguing about.
The bishop was a famous controversial, forever drawn into public quarrels.
Napoleon’s a pastry / Get this under your brow / All those big wig controversials / Are all commercials now.
1993, Harold Meyerson, Ernie HarburgHere, controversials means people or things that cause strong disagreement.Note
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Origin
From the Latin word "controversia," meaning "controversy," plus the ending "-al."