controversy

American  

[kon-truh-vur-see, kuhn-trov-er-see] / ˈkɒn trəˌvɜr si, kənˈtrɒv ər si /

noun

PLURAL

controversies

1. a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion.

   Synonyms:

   altercation , disagreement

2. contention, strife, or argument.

   Synonyms:

   wrangle , quarrel

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controversy British  

/ kənˈtrɒvəsɪ, ˈkɒntrəˌvɜːsɪ, ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl /

noun

1. dispute, argument, or debate, esp one concerning a matter about which there is strong disagreement and esp one carried on in public or in the press

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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

Tesla is facing increased competition from attractively priced Chinese brands and has also suffered from a tarnished image owing to controversies surrounding its billionaire CEO Elon Musk.

From Barron's

The trial involving Siddiq - who quit as a Treasury minister in January over controversy around her ties to her aunt - has been playing out in Dhaka since August.

From BBC

Media fragmentation and the constant flow of information are presented as making it harder for scandals to reach critical mass, as new controversies quickly displace previous ones.

From Los Angeles Times

To understand how a little-known operator in China could stir such controversy, it helps to know how IP addresses work and something about their history.

From The Wall Street Journal

It later sparked controversy when a newspaper uncovered a link between Mr Thomas and Mr Williams' ex-girlfriend, who had remembered visiting Ampthill years before.

From BBC

Related Words

• argument
• bickering
• difference
• discussion
• fuss
• quarrel
• squabble
• strife
• wrangle
• wrangling