controversynoun [ C or U ]
uk/ˈkɒn.trə.vɜː.si//kənˈtrɒv.ə.si/us/ˈkɑːn.trə.vɝː.si/C1 a lot of disagreement or argument about something, usually because it affects or is important to many people:
There was a big controversy surrounding/over the use of drugs in athletics.
The policy has caused fierce/heated controversy ever since it was introduced.
More examples
- Where do you put the emphasis in the word 'controversy'?
- Her latest book has engendered a lot of controversy.
- The mayor and the city council are anxious to avoid getting entangled in the controversy.
- Reports in today's newspapers have added fuel to the controversy .
- Overhanging the controversy is the question of how much the government knew about the arms deal.
- The government proposal to test 14-year-olds has been causing controversy in the staffroom .
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Arguments & disagreements
- argument
- belligerent
- blow up
- bust up
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- counter-argument
- disharmony
- dissonance
- feud
- fracas
- Mexican standoff
- quibble
- rivalry
- row 1
- shindig
- slanging match
- trouble
- tussle
See more results »