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controversy

controversy

490 4.9
A long public disagreement that causes strong arguments between people
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒntrəˌvɜrsi/
: polémica
  • The controversy in the press comes from MIT.
  • stir up controversy
  • generate controversy
  • political controversy

There's a lot of controversy about how this was handled.

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Examples

  • What happened next was a family controversy for years.

  • Even before it passed, the health act became mired in political controversy, and its future remains at risk.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And that in itself is not where the controversy about that book came.

  • I remember there being a little controversy around his death.

  • In fact, it continues to be a source of serious controversy in our field.

    Academic text (2011)
  • This has caused a great deal of controversy.

  • The main controversy about the refugee problem is what caused it.

  • The controversy began in the small mountain town of South Park where the local PTA is trying to ban the movie.

  • There's a lot of controversy about how this was handled.

  • The new law has sparked significant controversy among environmental activists and government officials.

Synonyms

debate
vscontroversy
  • Formal
∞ 2.0

A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic

is more public and prolonged, often involving strong opposing views
argument
vscontroversy
687 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

is more public and prolonged rather than a single angry exchange
conflict
vscontroversy
482 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is more public and longer lasting than a general disagreement
dispute
vscontroversy
345 3.0

A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time

is more public and involves wider heated discussion than a single disagreement
fight
vscontroversy
298 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is similar but always stresses extended public disagreement and debate
disagreement
vscontroversy
231 1.6

A situation when people do not have the same opinion

is stronger, involving sustained public argument and heated opposition
clash
vscontroversy
117 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

is more about long public disagreement rather than a single brief incident
quarrel
vscontroversy
63 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is broader and more public rather than a private personal argument
difference of opinion
vscontroversy
  • Specialized
37 3.5

A situation where two or more people disagree about something important

is more intense and publicly prolonged than a simple opinion difference
contention
vscontroversy
28 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is more public and often lasts longer than a single opposed view
heated debate
vscontroversy
16 3.5

An argument with strong feelings and different opinions

is like that but adds the sense of prolonged public disagreement
public debate
vscontroversy
  • Literature
15 3.0

A discussion among many people and the media about an issue in newspapers, TV, and online

is the same public disagreement but emphasizes long, often heated argument
heated argument
vscontroversy
8 3.5

A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices

shares intensity but the key is more public and prolonged in scope
heated discussion
vscontroversy
6 3.7

An argument where people speak loudly and with strong feelings

is broader, involving public, extended disagreement beyond momentary intensity
disputation
vscontroversy
  • Formal
2 8.5

A formal debate where people argue and may vote to decide

is less formal and more about public, ongoing heated disagreement
contestation
vscontroversy
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is broader, covering long public disagreement beyond single disputes
mass debate
vscontroversy
1 4.1

A large public discussion with many people about important issues

is similar but highlights prolonged dispute with strong opposing views
acrimonious argument
vscontroversy
1 7.8

A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings

is similar in heat but usually wider and publicly prolonged
disceptation
vscontroversy
  • Archaic
9.9

A formal debate with strong disagreement

is broader, covering ongoing public disputes beyond formal contention

Antonyms

279 4.1

Agreement among a group of people about an idea or decision

Idioms

End arguments about a decision by giving a clear answer

Compounds

A topic that causes strong arguments and trouble

9.6

A public debate about people who falsely claim Indigenous identity

How Heated

uproar
49 3.9
scandal
  • Literature
669 2.8
controversy
490 4.9
dispute
345 3.0
debate
  • Formal
∞ 2.0
difference of opinion
  • Specialized
37 3.5
discussion
∞ 1.4

Surface Forms

controversy singular
controversies plural

Morphology

controversy = controvert (semi-transparent) = contro + versy

The noun is recognizably related to the verb 'controvert' (and the adjective 'controversial'), but the internal parts ('contro' + 'versy') are not productive morphemes that learners readily parse.

Etymology

Controversy comes from Latin parts contra- 'against' and versare 'to turn', so imagine people 'turning against' each other. You can see the same root in reverse and versus, and that's why a controversy is a strong public disagreement with people on opposite sides.