controversy
gb/kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/ us/kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
B2
English
~ 9900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
public disagreement about an issue
Strong public disagreement about an important question, with many people talking and arguing about it.
Usage pattern:
controversy over [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "controversy" with "conversation" or "discussion". A conversation is a neutral talk between people, but a controversy is a strong public disagreement. Learners also often use the wrong preposition. The most natural patterns are "controversy over/about [something]", not *"controversy on" in most contexts. Note that "controversy" is countable: you can say "a controversy" or "several controversies".
Synonyms
dispute (A general word for serious disagreement; not always public or widely discussed.)
|
debate (Suggests more structured discussion of different opinions and is not always emotional or negative.)
|
uproar (Emphasizes loud public anger and noise more than the disagreement itself.)
Antonyms
agreement (People share the same view instead of arguing about the issue.)
|
consensus (Widespread general agreement among most people, the opposite of divided opinion.)
Collocations
cause controversy
|spark controversy
|political controversy
|public controversy
|controversy over
|at the center of controversy
Themes
politics
|media
|society
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The government’s new immigration policy has caused widespread controversy.
- The film won several awards but also sparked controversy for its violent scenes.
- Any change to the school’s sex-education program is likely to create controversy among parents.
- The athlete tried to avoid controversy by staying silent on political questions.
- He suddenly found himself at the center of controversy after his comments went viral.
Learner examples
- There is a lot of controversy over the new law.
- The book created controversy because it was very critical of the president.
- The company wants to avoid controversy and protect its image.
- Her speech caused controversy on social media.
- He became the center of controversy after the interview.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
formal or legal dispute
A formal argument or case between people or groups that must be decided by a court or official decision.
Usage pattern:
a controversy between [groups or people]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is mainly used in legal or very formal writing. In everyday speech, people usually say "legal dispute" or "court case" instead of "legal controversy".
Synonyms
lawsuit (A specific kind of legal controversy that has been formally filed in court.)
|
dispute (A broad term for disagreement; in this context, it often refers to a formal or legal conflict.)
Antonyms
settlement (An agreement that ends a legal controversy without further dispute.)
|
resolution (The successful ending of a dispute or controversy through decision or agreement.)
Collocations
legal controversy
|tax controversy
|border controversy
|patent controversy
Themes
law
|business
Examples
- The border controversy between the two countries was finally resolved through international arbitration.
- Several companies are involved in a legal controversy over ownership of the patent.
- The tax controversy was settled out of court after months of negotiation.
- This ruling may end a long-running controversy between the city and local landowners.
- The court declined to hear the case, saying there was no live controversy to decide.
Learner examples
- The two firms are in a legal controversy about the contract.
- The land controversy was decided by the court last year.
- The judge said the controversy must be solved by agreement or by trial.
- The border controversy caused many legal and political problems.
- Lawyers worked for months to end the controversy between the two sides.
Grammar
Dictionary form
controversy
IPA
GB/kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
US/kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
Syllables & stress
con - tro - versy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: controversy
- Plural: controversies, controversy
Word family
Forms
controversies
noun
Core family
controversial
adjective B2
Related words
controversially
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
uncontroversial
adjective
uncontroversially
adverb
Advanced or less common
incontrovertible
adjective
incontrovertibly
adverb
Expressions
at the center of controversy
1/ˈæt ðə sˈɛntɚ əv kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
main focus of controversy
To be the main person or thing that people are arguing about.
Examples
- The minister is at the center of controversy over misuse of public funds.
- The new stadium is at the center of controversy because of its high cost.
avoid controversy
1/əvˈɔɪd kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
keep controversy from arising
To act in a way so that people do not start strong public arguments about you or your actions.
Examples
- The company changed the ad to avoid controversy.
- She carefully chose her words to avoid controversy during the interview.
cause controversy
1/kˈɔz kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
create public disagreement
To make many people strongly disagree and talk about something.
Examples
- The advertisement caused controversy because many viewers found it offensive.
- Changing the national flag would cause a lot of controversy.
court controversy
1/kˈɔɹt kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
intentionally seek controversy
To act in a way that you know will probably make people argue and criticize you.
Examples
- Some celebrities deliberately court controversy to stay in the news.
- The director has always courted controversy with his extreme films.
settle a controversy
1/sˈɛtəl ə kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
formal
end a controversy
To end a strong argument or dispute by making a decision or reaching an agreement.
Examples
- The court’s decision finally settled the controversy.
- An independent report helped settle the controversy about the safety of the drug.
spark controversy
1/spˈɑɹk kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
suddenly trigger disagreement
To suddenly start strong public disagreement about something.
Examples
- His comments on climate change sparked controversy online.
- The artist’s latest work has sparked controversy in the local community.
stir up controversy
1/stˈɚ ˈʌp kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
deliberately create controversy
To cause strong public disagreement, especially on purpose or unnecessarily.
Examples
- The politician was accused of stirring up controversy to get more media attention.
- The company doesn’t want to stir up controversy before the product launch.
surrounded by controversy
1/sɚˈaʊndɪd bˈaɪ kˈɑntɹəvˌɚsi/
fixed phrase
closely linked to controversy
To have a lot of public disagreement and criticism around a person, thing, or decision.
Examples
- The project has been surrounded by controversy since it was announced.
- He resigned after years of being surrounded by controversy over his business deals.