Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [kon-truh-vur-shuh l]
- /ˌkɒn trəˈvɜr ʃəl/
- /ˌkɒn.trəˈvɜː.ʃəl/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kon-truh-vur-shuh l]
- /ˌkɒn trəˈvɜr ʃəl/
Definitions of controversial word
- adjective controversial If you describe something or someone as controversial, you mean that they are the subject of intense public argument, disagreement, or disapproval. 3
- adjective controversial of, subject to, or stirring up controversy; debatable 3
- adjective controversial liking to take part in controversy; disputatious 3
- adjective controversial of, relating to, or characteristic of controversy, or prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; polemical: a controversial book. 1
- adjective controversial subject to controversy; debatable: a controversial decision. 1
- adjective controversial given to controversy; argumentative; disputatious: a controversial public figure. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of controversial
First appearance:
before 1575 One of the 34% oldest English words
1575-85; < Late Latin contrōversiālis, equivalent to Latin contrōversi(a) controversy + -ālis -al1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Controversial
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
controversial popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 69% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
controversial usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for controversial
adj controversial
- questionable — of doubtful propriety, honesty, morality, respectability, etc.: questionable activities; in questionable taste.
- contentious — A contentious issue causes a lot of disagreement or arguments.
- dubious — doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt: a dubious reply.
- arguable — If you say that it is arguable that something is true, you believe that it can be supported by evidence and that many people would agree with it.
- argumentative — Someone who is argumentative is always ready to disagree or start quarrelling with other people.
adjective controversial
- provocative — tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.
- debated — a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
- debatable — If you say that something is debatable, you mean that it is not certain.
- divisive — forming or expressing division or distribution.
- hot — having or giving off heat; having a high temperature: a hot fire; hot coffee.
noun controversial
- fire-eater — an entertainer who pretends to eat fire.
- spiky — having a spike or spikes.
- litigiousness — of or relating to litigation.
Antonyms for controversial
adj controversial
- incontrovertible — not controvertible; not open to question or dispute; indisputable: absolute and incontrovertible truth.
- peaceful — characterized by peace; free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder: a peaceful reign; a peaceful demonstration.
- undisputed — to engage in argument or debate.
- undoubted — not called in question; accepted as beyond doubt; undisputed.
- unquestionable — not open to question; beyond doubt or dispute; indisputable; undeniable; certain: an unquestionable fact.
Top questions with controversial
- what does controversial mean?
- what are gmos and why are they controversial?
- what might be the most controversial agreement at yalta?
- why was the kansas nebraska act so controversial?
- why were the executions of sacco and vanzetti controversial?
- what controversial issue was settled by the compromise of 1850?
- why are voter id laws controversial?
- what is controversial?
- why is stem cell research controversial?
- why was roe v wade a controversial case?
- why was the kansas-nebraska act so controversial?
- why are grants in aid controversial?
- which is a controversial ethical issue?
- why are stem cells controversial?
- why was the vietnam war controversial?
See also
Matching words
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