con ‧ tro ‧ ver ‧ sial AC /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃ ə l◂ $ ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ controversy ; adverb : ↑ controversially ; adjective : ↑ controversial ]
causing a lot of disagreement, because many people have strong opinions about the subject being discussed:
the controversial issue of welfare reform
a highly controversial (=very controversial) plan to flood the valley in order to build a dam
He is a controversial figure (=person who does controversial things) in the art world.
—controversially adverb
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a controversial issue/topic/subject
I tried to avoid controversial topics such as politics and religion.
▪ a controversial decision
The court’s decision was highly controversial.
▪ a controversial plan/proposal/policy
the controversial plan to build a new airport
▪ a controversial figure (=a person who does controversial things)
He is a controversial figure in politics.
▪ a controversial measure (=an official action that is controversial)
Banning smoking in public places was a controversial measure.
▪ controversial legislation (=controversial laws)
The controversial legislation has not yet been officially approved.
▪ the controversial nature of something
The report was kept secret because of its controversial nature.
■ adverbs
▪ highly controversial
This policy is highly controversial.
▪ politically controversial
The area of workers’ rights remains politically controversial.
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THESAURUS
▪ controversial causing a lot of disagreement and angry argument, especially in the newspapers, on television etc:
Abortion is a controversial subject.
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The film was highly controversial at the time.
▪ contentious formal likely to cause a lot of disagreement and argument :
the contentious issue of immigration
|
These claims are highly contentious.
▪ debatable/arguable used when you think that something is not certain and that people have different opinions about it, especially in the phrase it is debatable/arguable whether :
It is debatable whether this book is as good as her previous novel.
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It is arguable whether these measures will reduce the overall cost.
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Does the treatment work? I think that’s debatable.
▪ something is a moot point used when you think that something is not certain and that people have different opinions about it - a rather formal phrase:
Whether this proposal will really reduce crime is a moot point.