controversy
Strong public disagreement about an important question, with many people talking and arguing about it.
Public and often heated disagreement and discussion about an important issue, especially when many people express strong opinions on different sides.
A formal argument or case between people or groups that must be decided by a court or official decision.
A formal dispute or case, especially one that must be decided by a court or other official body.
- Base: controversy
- Plural: controversies, controversy
at the center of controversy
1main focus of controversy
To be the main person or thing that people are arguing about.
- 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
1keep controversy from arising
To act in a way so that people do not start strong public arguments about you or your actions.
- The company changed the ad to avoid controversy.
- She carefully chose her words to avoid controversy during the interview.
cause controversy
1create public disagreement
To make many people strongly disagree and talk about something.
- The advertisement caused controversy because many viewers found it offensive.
- Changing the national flag would cause a lot of controversy.
court controversy
1intentionally seek controversy
To act in a way that you know will probably make people argue and criticize you.
- Some celebrities deliberately court controversy to stay in the news.
- The director has always courted controversy with his extreme films.
settle a controversy
1end a controversy
To end a strong argument or dispute by making a decision or reaching an agreement.
- The court’s decision finally settled the controversy.
- An independent report helped settle the controversy about the safety of the drug.
spark controversy
1suddenly trigger disagreement
To suddenly start strong public disagreement about something.
- His comments on climate change sparked controversy online.
- The artist’s latest work has sparked controversy in the local community.
stir up controversy
1deliberately create controversy
To cause strong public disagreement, especially on purpose or unnecessarily.
- 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
1closely linked to controversy
To have a lot of public disagreement and criticism around a person, thing, or decision.
- The project has been surrounded by controversy since it was announced.
- He resigned after years of being surrounded by controversy over his business deals.