World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesControversial
/ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Giving rise to public disagreement, debate, or contention.
"The politician made a controversial statement regarding tax reform." - 2
Subject to debate or dispute between opposing parties.
"The new zoning laws remained a controversial topic at the town meeting."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'controversia', a dispute or debate, formed from 'contra' (against) and 'vertere' (to turn). It entered the English language in the late 16th century, shifting from describing academic or theological disputes to a general term for anything giving rise to public disagreement.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Controversial"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Controversial" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
controversé
Transliteration: kɔ̃tʁɔvɛʁse
"Cette loi est très controversée dans le pays."
kontrovers
Transliteration: kɔntʁoˈvɛʁs
"Das Thema war bei der Versammlung sehr kontrovers."
controverso
Transliteration: kontroˈvɛrso
"Il progetto ha suscitato un dibattito molto controverso."
polémico
Transliteration: poˈlemiko
"El actor hizo declaraciones muy polémicas."
controverso
Transliteration: kõtɾoˈvɛɾsu
"A decisão do juiz foi extremamente controversa."
विवादास्पद
Transliteration: vivādāspad
"यह एक अत्यंत विवादास्पद मुद्दा है।"
有争议的
Transliteration: yǒu zhēngyì de
"这是一个非常有争议的话题。"
논란이 되는
Transliteration: nonran-i doeneun
"그 영화는 매우 논란이 되는 주제를 다루고 있다."
物議を醸す
Transliteration: butsugi o kamosu
"その政策は世間で大きな物議を醸した。"
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