controversial
Provoking strong disagreement
Controversial describes something that provokes strong disagreement or public debate.
A controversial decision, figure, or topic divides opinion and invites argument.
The word often signals that reasonable people hold opposing views: The film proved controversial for its graphic violence.
Something can be controversial without being wrong—it simply means people fight about it.
Causing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- splittingDividing into parts
- factionalOf competing subgroups
- schismaticOne who divides believers
wedge · hot-button · partisan · inflammatory · incendiary · provocative · charged · confrontational
Easily upset or offended
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- thornyHaving sharp protrusions
- trickyDifficult to handle
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
uncomfortable · fraught · loaded · emotive · explosive · volatile · difficult · prickly
Not allowed
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
- censoredSuppressed from publication
banned · prohibited · stigmatized · scandalous · shocking · outrageous · transgressive · boundary-crossing
Open to dispute
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- disputableAble to be challenged
- contestableAble to be challenged
- mootWithout practical significance
open · unsettled · unresolved · inconclusive · uncertain · ambiguous · equivocal · indeterminate
polarizing
Causing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- splittingDividing into parts
- factionalOf competing subgroups
schismatic · wedge · hot-button · partisan · inflammatory · incendiary · provocative · charged · confrontational · antagonistic
touchy
Easily upset or offended
awkward · uncomfortable · fraught · loaded · emotive · explosive · volatile · difficult · prickly · precarious
forbidden
Not allowed
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
censored · banned · prohibited · stigmatized · scandalous · shocking · outrageous · transgressive · boundary-crossing · inappropriate
arguable
Open to dispute
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- disputableAble to be challenged
- contestableAble to be challenged
moot · open · unsettled · unresolved · inconclusive · uncertain · ambiguous · equivocal · indeterminate · problematic
- Redditsubreddit, upvote, downvote, mod, moderator
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- receptionacclaim, applause, backlash, buzz, criticism
- viral content traitsviral, trending, meme, clickable, shareable
- presidentialpresidential, executive, inaugural, incumbent, elected
- celebrity labelsfamous, iconic, legendary, A-list, B-list
controversialuncontroversial
Not subject to debate
noncontroversial · undisputed · non-controversial · uncontested · unchallenged
controversialuncontentious
Not causing disagreement
unobjectionable · peaceful · anodyne · inoffensive · innocuous
controversialsafe
Free from peril
uncontentious · mainstream · conventional · orthodox · unremarkable
- controversial figurePerson provoking strong disagreement
- controversial topicsSubjects provoking strong disagreement
- controversial artWorks provoking public disagreement
- controversial subjectsTopics provoking strong disagreement
- controversial issueSubject provoking strong disagreement
- controversial leaderPolarizing person in charge
controversies, uncontroversial, controversially, noncontroversial, controversialist