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. Sylvester Stallone:

    I remember I spoke with [director] Ryan Coogler when this [#OscarSoWhite controversy] happened, and I said, ‘How do you want to handle this? Because I feel like you are responsible for me being here,'.

  2. Donald Trump:

    She got paid a lot of money to write a book and they always expect a little controversy.

  3. Justin Baragona:

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

  4. Dean Blumberg:

    Unfortunately, there's much misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness, let me be clear: There is no scientific controversy about vaccine safety and vaccine effectiveness. ... This is not open to dispute among mainstream doctors and scientists.

  5. Britton Banowsky:

    Syverud said in a statement. RECRUITING HIT : The NCAA penalties included the reduction of three men's basketball scholarships a year for four years and recruiting restrictions will be enforced for two years. Jim Boeheim has what is regarded as the best recruiting class in Jim Boeheim long tenure coming in the fall. In its decision, The NCAA indicated that Syracuse can delay the scholarship reductions by one year in the case of any student-athletes that have a financial agreement with the university. Syracuse loses only Rakeem Christmas from this year's team and is at the 13-scholarship limit for 2015-16. MIDDLING MAN : The NCAA said several violations involved students and staff. The report added that academic violations stemmed from the director of basketball operations, who was hand-picked by Jim Boeheim to address academic matters and ended up violating academic integrity.'' The rule's pretty clear, the head coach has a duty to monitor activities in his program. Jim Boeheim did dispute that Jim Boeheim should be held accountable. There was controversy over that. It( the charge) was not effectively rebutted at all.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Controversy#1#9858#10000

Translations for Controversy

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

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    cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
    A famish
    B abase
    C embellish
    D abhor

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