Vocabulary in context
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Controversy
A disagreement, especially a public or heated one, about a particular issue.
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Imagine This
Imagine a town hall where two groups present opposing viewpoints on a new policy; the room is loud, signs flash on screens, and reporters chase quotes as the crowd debates the merits and flaws of the proposal.
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Sounds Like
kon-truh-VUR-see
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Looks Like
Similar in form to related words like controversial and controvert
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Remember This
Controversy often arises in public life and media, and the word is used to label contentious topics, not merely personal disagreements.
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Other Forms
controversialadjective
controvertverb
controversiallyadverb
controversiesnoun
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Connect With
dispute, debate, disagreement, contention, polemic, public opinion
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Note
Controversy is a noun and is usually countable (a controversy, controversies). The adjective form is controversial; the verb form is controvert. Do not confuse with 'controvert' which means to argue against.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The controversy over the policy prompted protests and many op-eds.
- There is ongoing controversy about the drug's safety and long-term effects.
Synonyms
disputedebatedisagreementcontentionpolemic
Antonyms
agreementconsensusharmony
Etymology
From Latin controversia 'a turning against; dispute', from controversus 'turned against', from contra 'against' + vertere 'to turn'.
Mnemonic
CON-versy: In a controversy, sides are 'versus' each other; remember that controversy involves turning against or opposing viewpoints in public debate.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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