controversial — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Arousing or likely to arouse controversy.

   Synonyms

   hot

   Examples

   Whole libraries of controversial books.

   More examples (1)

   MAHER: Well, whatever. I just said we shouldn't have two national anthems. We're one country. It's not a good idea. We've seen what happens in other countries where you have, you know- when you separate things out. That's never where America was. That's never where liberalism was. It was about being a colorblind society. So, a new national anthem? Fine. I'll go for that. But not two. Because that leads down a road we don't wanna go. Applause. KIMMEL: Do you feel like... MAHER: Thank you. KIMMEL: Hey there's a lot of fear in the air and generally, you don't want to be caught applauding something that might be controversial. MAHER: I couldn't give a fuck. KIMMEL: I wasn't talking about you.

2. Engaging in or given to controversy; disputatious, argumentative.

Noun

1. Someone or something (such as a matter or an argument) that is controversial.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Related words

   debatabledisputabledisputatiouspolemical

   Examples

   No fundamental doctrine was omitted. Controversials were carefully avoided. Whether any blessing attended these attempts, will be known at the last day.

   More examples (1)

   Blowing like a blast of fresh astringent air into the hot-house atmosphere of these vapid languors, came news from America of a Rational Dress Campaign. Mrs. Amelia Bloomer’s conspicuous controversials were a wonderful gift to Punch, and were welcomed with enthusiasm and joyful derision by the cartoonists […]

   Napoleon’s a pastry / Get this under your brow / All those big wig controversials / Are all commercials now.

   More examples (3)

   Although the numbers of controversial children were few, their finely tuned distinction between types of transgression concurs with the observation that the behaviour of controversials is highly skilled. While the behaviour of controversial children may often meet with negative reactions from peers and reprimands from adults, controversials may engage in even more prosocial behaviour than do popular peers (Dodge, 1983).

   It would be interesting to know whether the leadership capacities with which the controversials are credited is a mitigating factor with respect to their risk potential.

   One manager identified himself as a controversial, indicating both his formal role and confrontational style as reasons as to why he was both greatly liked and disliked. […] Lastly, a few managers suggested that controversials might have specific personality traits that make them liked by some and disliked by others.

Adjective

1. marked by or capable of arousing controversy

   Antonyms

   uncontroversial

   Examples

   the issue of the death penalty is highly controversial

   Rushdie's controversial book

   More examples (1)

   a controversial decision on affirmative action