controversy

[ kon-truh-vur-see; British also kuhn-trov-er-see ]

noun

, plural con·tro·ver·sies.

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

controversy

/ kənˈtrɒvəsɪ; ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl; ˈkɒntrəˌvɜːsɪ /

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

Derived Forms

• ˌcontroˈversialˌism, noun
• ˌcontroˈversialist, noun
• ˌcontroˈversially, adverb
• controversial, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·contro·versy noun plural precontroversies

Word History and Origins

Origin of controversy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of controversy¹

C14: from Latin contrōversia, from contrōversus turned in an opposite direction, from contra- + vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See argument.

Example Sentences

Alexander has run into controversy in recent days for pressuring scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From Washington Post

Concerns among Democrats on the committee grew after the NLRB issued an unusual report on its recusal process last November, spurred by the earlier controversy around Hy-Brand.

From ProPublica

The live-action epic, which has also been embroiled in controversy over its filming location, is not playing in North American theaters.

From Fortune

The controversy it has generated since details from the book were first published this week will likely fuel more sales.

From Quartz

The list of 2020 James Beard nominees also included the names of some chefs who have recently faced controversy and criticism, which, according to the foundation’s rules of eligibility, could disqualify them from winning.

From Eater

Their claims have led to both academic controversy and localized conflict.

From The Daily Beast

“We would just as soon stay away from a group that will create controversy,” the Cubs general manager Sam Bernabe told the paper.

From The Daily Beast

The role of private investigators has stirred controversy in the investigation.

From The Daily Beast

As the controversy unfurled late Monday, it created some odd bedfellows.

From The Daily Beast

The Interview, which caused so much controversy, was never intended for release in South Korean cinemas.

From The Daily Beast

A furious controversy concerning this picture had arisen among art critics.

From Project Gutenberg

A burning controversy between the Averroists and the orthodox schoolmen.

From Project Gutenberg

You will grant that the individual in the controversy would likely be able to judge more correctly with regard to values?

From Project Gutenberg

There is much controversy as to whether stop-keys will eventually displace the older fashioned draw-knobs.

From Project Gutenberg

What action will have this effect is a fact to be proved whenever the controversy arises.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

More About Controversy

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.

Where does controversy come from?

The first records of the word controversy come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin contrōversia, which is equivalent to contrōvers(us), meaning “turned against” or “disputed.” The term ultimately derives from the roots contrā, meaning “against” (as seen in words like contrary), and vertere, meaning “to turn” (as in the word versus).

Yes, controversies cause people to turn against each other. People say and do things all the time that cause arguments or debate (and the strife and discord that come with them), but we most often use the word controversy when these situations play out in public. There’s a reason for that: the more public something is, the more people will engage with it. And when people are involved, there’s no shortage of opinions. The formula for controversy is very simple: a lot of opinions plus a lot of passion. Topics traditionally known as controversial include religion and politics, probably because those are two areas where people are least willing to compromise. In this way, controversies can be polarizing, meaning that they divide people into very specific groups based on their very specific opinions.

People (particularly public figures) are called controversial when they do or say things that get other people worked up. Of course, some people cause controversy on purpose, especially to attract attention.

People sometimes criticize the use of the word controversial, especially by the media, to describe something that they argue is not just contentious but plain wrong in some way, as in His remarks weren’t controversial—they were racist.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to controversy?

• controversial (adjective)
• controversially (adverb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with controversy? 

 

• controvert
• contrary
• versus

What are some words that often get used in discussing controversy?

 

• public
• political
• source
• surrounding
• scandal
• contentious
• dispute
• opinion
• argument
• media
• polarizing
• divisive

How is controversy used in real life?

The word controversy is most often used when such a dispute happens in public and is documented (and, yes, sometimes played up) by the media.

Protesters toppled and set aflame a statue of Albert Pike in Washington. The statue, funded by the Freemasons, was the only statue of a Confederate general in the nation's capital and a longtime source of controversy. https://t.co/suvVYzA9aR

— The Associated Press (@AP) June 20, 2020

1/ I’m not weighing in on the growing controversy about the complex rules applied to developers in @Apple’s App Store. Just based on what I’ve read, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple is forced to change some of them. But I want to make three points that people seem to forget.

— Walt Mossberg (@waltmossberg) June 17, 2020

Controversy is back in the Premier League.

It only took 41 minutes 🤣 pic.twitter.com/GcxGkVGxzt

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 17, 2020

 

 

Try using controversy!

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to be used to describe a controversy?

A. intense
B. political
C. contentious
D. agreeable