Controversial

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /kÉ‘n.tɹə.ˈvɝ.ʃəl/, /kÉ‘n.tɹə.ˈvɝ.si.É™l/

Origin

From Latin controversia ("controversy") + -al; see controversy.

Full definition of controversial

Adjective

1. Arousing controversy—a debate or discussion of opposing opinions.
• unknown date Macaulay:Whole libraries of controversial books.

Usage notes

Nouns often used with "controversial": topic, subject, work, author, method, etc.

Synonyms

• contentious
• contested

Antonyms

• uncontroversial
• noncontroversial
• incontrovertible

Derived terms

• controversialness

Related terms

• controversialist
• controversiality
• controversy
• controvert
• controverter
• controvertible