Controversy
A disagreement, especially a public or heated one, about a particular issue.
nounControversy
A disagreement, especially a public or heated one, about a particular issue.
nounImagine 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.
Sounds Like
kon-truh-VUR-see
Looks Like
Similar in form to related words like controversial and controvert
Remember This
Controversy often arises in public life and media, and the word is used to label contentious topics, not merely personal disagreements.
Other Forms
Connect With
dispute, debate, disagreement, contention, polemic, public opinion
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.
Study Deeper
- The controversy over the policy prompted protests and many op-eds.
- There is ongoing controversy about the drug's safety and long-term effects.
From Latin controversia 'a turning against; dispute', from controversus 'turned against', from contra 'against' + vertere 'to turn'.
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.
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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).
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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).