controversial
Making many people strongly disagree or argue, usually because it is about a sensitive or difficult topic.
Causing or likely to cause strong disagreement, argument, or public discussion, often because people have very different opinions about it.
- Base: controversial
a controversial decision
1a decision many people oppose
A choice made by a person or group that many people strongly disagree with.
- Cutting the health budget was a controversial decision by the city council.
- The coach made a controversial decision to drop the team’s star player.
a controversial figure
1a person who divides opinion
A person that many people strongly disagree about, often liked by some and strongly disliked by others.
- He is a controversial figure in the tech industry because of his business practices.
- The politician remained a controversial figure even after leaving office.
a controversial issue
1an issue people strongly disagree about
An important question or topic that many people strongly disagree about.
- Abortion remains a controversial issue in many countries.
- Climate change policy is a controversial issue in national politics.
a controversial topic
1a subject that causes argument
A subject that many people argue about or have very different opinions on.
- Politics is often a controversial topic at family dinners.
- The teacher asked students not to choose a highly controversial topic for the first speech.
deeply controversial
1extremely likely to cause disagreement
Causing very strong and serious disagreement among people.
- The policy of mass surveillance is deeply controversial.
- This is a deeply controversial proposal inside the party.
highly controversial
1very likely to cause argument
Causing a lot of strong argument or disagreement.
- The new surveillance law is highly controversial.
- His highly controversial book was banned in several countries.
politically controversial
1causing political disagreement
Causing strong argument or disagreement in politics.
- Raising the retirement age is politically controversial.
- The war was politically controversial from the very beginning.
remain controversial
1continue to be argued about
To still make people strongly disagree, even after some time has passed.
- The use of nuclear energy remains controversial.
- Despite new research, the theory remains controversial among scientists.