rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycontroversyPublic disagreement
noun

controversy

KAHN-truh-vur-see/ˈkɑːntrəvɜːrsi/

Public disagreement about a disputed matter.

The mayor's plan sparks controversy over the use of public land.

At a public planning meeting, two residents visibly disagree over a proposed building that would replace mature trees.
Etymology
controLatinagainst
+versLatinto turn
+yLatinstate or condition

Turning “against” became a way to describe opposing positions rather than physical motion. The Latin noun already meant contention or dispute, the basis of today's public disagreement or debate.

In context

misesmedia49:06
his unique approach to economic controversy. It is the intellectual equivalent of the great Muhammad Ali's rope-a-dope technique in boxing. State your position once, then lay back and let your opponents punch punch themselves out attacking it.
Panel: The Significance of Hans-Hermann Hoppe

More examples

  • The new school policy is at the center of a controversy.
  • Controversy surrounds the museum's decision to sell the painting.
  • The newspaper covers controversies involving local officials.

Forms

controversy · controversies

controversial adjective — Likely to provoke public disagreement or debate.

Similar words

dispute
A specific disagreement, not necessarily one involving the public.
debate
An exchange of opposing views, often organized or formal.