noun
controversy
kuhn-TROV-uh-see
noun
1
Public disagreement or debate, often heated, about a particular issue.
"The film sparked controversy over its portrayal of the war."
"There was much controversy surrounding the referee's decision."
How to Use Controversy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heated public disagreement over an issue.
Common pairings
spark controversy
source of controversy
stir up controversy
Word Forms
controversies plural
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The film sparked _____ over its portrayal of the war.
Etymology
From Old French controversie, from Latin controversia ("debate, contention"), from controversus ("turned in an opposing direction").