Controversy Definition
kŏntrə-vûrsē
controversies
noun
controversies
A dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views.
American Heritage
A lengthy discussion of an important question in which opposing opinions clash; debate; disputation.
Webster's New World
The act or practice of engaging in such disputes.
Writers skilled at controversy.
American Heritage
A quarrel or dispute.
Webster's New World
A difference in views, especially in public, between individuals taking opposite sides on a particular issue.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:
- strife
- row
- flak
- disoutation
- discussion
- argumentation
- altercationpolemics
- difference
- brannigan
- beef
- quarrel
- disagreement
- debate
- contestation
- contention
Other Word Forms of Controversy
Noun
Singular:
controversy
Plural:
controversiesOrigin of Controversy
-
Middle English controversie from Latin contrōversia from contrōversus disputed contrō- (variant of contrā contra-) versus past participle of vertere to turn wer-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Old French controversie, from Latin controversia (“debate, contention, controversy”), from controversus (“turned in an opposite direction”).
From Wiktionary
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to controversy using the buttons below.