What does Controversy mean?

Definitions for Controversy
ˈkɒn trəˌvɜr si; Brit. also kənˈtrɒv ər sicon·tro·ver·sy

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Controversy.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. controversy, contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguingnoun

    a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement

    "they were involved in a violent argument"

Wiktionary

  1. controversynoun

    A debate, discussion of opposing opinions; strife.

  2. Etymology: From controversia, from controversus.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Controversynoun

    Etymology: controversia, Latin.

    How cometh it to pass that we are so rent with mutual contentions, and that the church is so much troubled? If men had been willing to learn, all these controversies might have died the very day they were first brought forth. Richard Hooker, b. i.

    Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. 1 Tim.

    Wild controversy then, which long had slept,
    Into the press from ruin’d cloisters leapt. John Denham.

    This left no room for controversy about the title, nor for encroachment on the right of others. John Locke.

    If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them, then they shall justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. Deutr. xxv. 1.

    The Lord hath a controversy with the nations. Jer. xxv. 31.

    The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it
    With lusty sinews; throwing it aside,
    And stemming it with hearts of controversy. William Shakespeare, Jul. Cæs.

Wikipedia

  1. Controversy

    Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of conflicting opinion or point of view. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction".

ChatGPT

  1. controversy

    Controversy refers to a widespread disagreement, debate, or dispute surrounding a particular topic, issue, event, or decision. It involves opposing views and opinions that often lead to conflicting perspectives, intense arguments, or public scrutiny. Controversies can arise in various domains such as politics, social issues, science, ethics, religion, and entertainment, among others. They often involve passionate discussions, media coverage, and attempts to gather evidence or present arguments supporting different positions.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Controversynoun

    contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions

  2. Controversynoun

    quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference

  3. Controversynoun

    a suit in law or equity; a question of right

Wikidata

  1. Controversy

    Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of conflicting opinion or point of view. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction," from contra – "against" – and vertere – to turn, or versus, hence, "to turn against." The most applicable or well known controversial subjects, topics or areas are politics, religion and sex. Other areas of controversy include history and philosophy. Other minor yet prominent areas of controversy are economics, science, finances, culture, education, the military, society, celebrities, organisation, the media, age, gender, and race. Controversy in matters of theology has traditionally been particularly heated, giving rise to the phrase odium theologicum. Controversial issues are held as potentially divisive in a given society, because they can lead to tension and ill will, as a result they are often taboo to be discussed in the light of company in many cultures.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Controversy' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4536

  2. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Controversy' in Nouns Frequency: #1762

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce Controversy?

How to say Controversy in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Controversy in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Controversy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of Controversy in a Sentence

  1. Donald Trump:

    Hey, how about the NFL. Look I don’t want to cause controversy. … I don’t want to cause controversy, they passed this stupid thing. You don’t have to do this anymore if you don’t respect the flag or if you don’t like the country or whatever it is, just go into the locker room.

  2. Eric Beeson:

    I appreciated the depiction of suicide as a process. There is no singular cause for suicide, and the show depicted the cumulative effect of multiple life experiences leading up to Hannah's suicide. Even though I don't like that the show sometimes vilified the people in the tapes as the 'reasons' why Hannah killed herself, one narrative that has been lost in the controversy about this show is the belief by some of the characters that things had to get better, they had to care and treat one another better.

  3. Stephanie Adams:

    I prefer shooting to shopping and — although I might look girly, I am far from it, as far as anything else; well, as much as there is written about me, there is so much more to me. No one truly knows me but my family and I often surprise them once in a while. Mystery and controversy have always stood guard beside me, seldom allowing folks to get close enough to know more about me and I kind of like that, so let’s stop there.

  4. The Treasury:

    The creditworthiness of the United States is not a bargaining chip, and Congress should address this matter without controversy.

  5. Justin Baragona:

    Is Reid witnessing viewers turning away from her show in the wake of the controversy?

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Controversy#1#9858#10000

Translations for Controversy

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"Controversy." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 22 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Controversy>.

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