controversial

Bridgezipf 4.23

Pronunciation

/ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/(kon-truh-VER-shul)

Part of speech

adjectiveneutral

Chinese

有争议的；引发争论的（引起强烈的意见分歧或争辩）

Definition

Giving rise to public disagreement or debate; not agreed upon.

Word family

  • controversy/ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi/(n)争议；争论
  • controversially/ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəli/(adv)有争议地

Collocations

  • controversial decision
  • controversial topic
  • a highly controversial
  • generate controversy
  • a controversial figure
  • spark controversy
  • prove controversial

Examples

  1. 1.The policy change proved more controversial than expected, drawing sharp criticism from both sides.
  2. 2.He is a controversial figure in academic circles — respected by some, strongly criticised by others.

Synonyms

  • contentious/kənˈtɛnʃəs/— causing disagreement; likely to cause argument
  • disputed/dɪˈspjuːtɪd/— not agreed upon
  • divisive/dɪˈvaɪsɪv/— tending to cause disagreement within a group

Etymology

from Medieval Latin "controversialis" = of controversy, from "controversia" (dispute)