controvertial

USAGE SUMMARY

'controversial' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a subject, opinion, or statement that causes or is likely to cause disagreement among people. For example, "The politician's views on immigration were highly controversial."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is controversial.

The Economist

The Labour MP Austin Mitchell has refused to apologise for likening the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to "rapists" over its controversial takeover of AstraZeneca.

The Guardian

Two other senior GOP sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party's leadership had promised to give the controversial bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act, floor time in the 114th Congress.

The Guardian

Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland secretary, also appealed to unionist leaders to return to the negotiating table over controversial parades, the flying of flags and the legacy of Ulster's violent past.

The Guardian

While the decision disappointed some, particularly those trumpeting the charismatic claims of Yousafzai, the decision marks something of a return to the tradition of honouring work directly connected to disarmament, after the EU in 2012 and the even more controversial prize to Barack Obama in 2009.

The Guardian

That day, the seventh and last time Villa won the Cup, is remembered as one of the most controversial finals.

The Guardian - Sport

It has been controversial since it was set up under Labour, when it was accused of stigmatising Muslims – including a case in which it funded CCTV cameras in a Muslim area of Birmingham.

The Guardian

Now the Home Office is once again increasing the number of local authorities involved, alongside controversial plans to place a duty on universities, schools and local authorities to "prevent people from being drawn into terrorism", through an amendment to the counter-terror and security bill, which is at the Lords report stage.

The Guardian

There are only a handful of exemptions to the ban on abortion – to save the mother's life, if the pregnancy was a result of rape, or, in a recent controversial addition, if the foetus has anencephaly, a rare birth defect in which the brain and skull do not develop.

The Guardian

Labor introduced a controversial "no advantage test" on 13 August last year in an unsuccessful attempt to stop asylum boats from coming by insisting that those applying for refugee status in that way received no benefit compared with those who stayed in refugee camps in the region.

The Guardian

"I also welcome the fact that Queen's has shown the corporate courage to tackle sensitive and controversial and potentially divisive issues".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check your spelling, especially for commonly misspelled words like "controversial". Using a spell-checker can prevent errors in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using the misspelling "controvertial". The correct spelling is "controversial". Consistently using the correct spelling enhances credibility.

Linguistic Context

The term "controvertial" is a misspelling. The correct term, controversial, functions as an adjective. The word describes something that causes disagreement or is subject to debate. Ludwig AI confirms the correct word is "controversial".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "controvertial" is a misspelling. The correct spelling is "controversial", which functions as an adjective to describe something that causes disagreement or debate. Ludwig AI confirms that the spelling is incorrect. Since there are no instances of "controvertial" in the provided examples, it's important to use the correct spelling to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. Using alternatives like "debatable" or "contentious" can also add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controversial

Correct spelling of the intended word, meaning likely to cause disagreement.

contentious

Emphasizes the tendency to cause arguments or disputes.

debatable

Focuses on the aspect of being open to argument or discussion.

disputed

Indicates that the matter is under disagreement or challenge.

disputable

Highlights the contestable nature of the subject.

arguable

Suggests that there are valid arguments on both sides.

questionable

Implies doubt or uncertainty about the validity or morality of something.

polemical

Describes something relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech.

tending to cause arguments

A longer phrase emphasizing the causal nature of arguments.

subject to disagreement

Highlights that the topic is prone to generate a lack of consensus.

FAQs

What is the correct spelling, "controvertial" or controversial?

The correct spelling is "controversial". "Controvertial" is a misspelling and should be avoided in writing.

How can I use "controversial" in a sentence?

You can use "controversial" to describe something that causes disagreement or debate. For example, "The politician's proposal was highly controversial".

What words are similar to "controversial"?

Similar words include "debatable", "contentious", and "disputable". These words also describe something that is open to argument or disagreement.

Is it acceptable to use "controvertial" in informal writing?

No, it is not acceptable. "Controvertial" is a misspelling and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Always use the correct spelling, "controversial".