CONTROVERSIAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does controversial mean? 

• CONTROVERSIAL (adjective)
  The adjective CONTROVERSIAL has 1 sense:

1. marked by or capable of arousing controversy

  Familiarity information: CONTROVERSIAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONTROVERSIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by or capable of arousing controversy

Context example:

a controversial decision on affirmative action

Similar:

arguable; debatable; disputable; moot (open to argument or debate)

contentious (involving or likely to cause controversy)

disputed (subject to disagreement and debate)

polemic; polemical (of or involving dispute or controversy)

Antonym:

uncontroversial (not likely to arouse controversy)

Derivation:

controversy (a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement)

 Context examples 

The mechanism of action of isoxsuprine hydrochloride is controversial, because isoxsuprine has beta-adrenergic activities that could not be offset by beta-adrenergic blockers.

(Isoxsuprine, NCI Thesaurus)

In turn, Rac1 activates a small G protein-activated kinase whose identity is still controversial, but which has been suggested to be PAK1.

(Angiotensin II Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The existence of subgroups (types 1, 2, and 3) based on serological findings are controversial.

(Autoimmune Hepatitis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The mechanism of action of isoxsuprine hydrochloride is controversial because this drug has beta-adrenergic agonist activities that are not reversed by beta-adrenergic blockers.

(Isoxsuprine Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

However, some decolonization strategies are controversial because they require considerable amounts of topical antibiotics and have limited success, partly because they target only the nose and bacteria quickly recolonized from the gut.

(Study finds probiotic Bacillus eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria, National Institutes of Health)

The study, one of the largest clinical trials to investigate red blood cell storage in critically ill children, sheds light on a controversial aspect of transfusion medicine that has been understudied.

(Fresh red blood cell transfusions do not help critically ill children more than older cells, National Institutes of Health)

In addition, the scientists have found that sesame antibody testing — whose utility has been controversial — accurately predicts whether a child with food allergy is allergic to sesame.

(17% of Food-Allergic Children Have Sesame Allergy, National Institutes of Health)

I've been here for 10 years, so I've worked on controversial issues before.

(Health threats caused by mobile phone radiation, EUROPARL TV)

Its association with an increase risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma remains controversial.

(Esophageal Basal Cell Hyperplasia, NCI Thesaurus)

However, the long-term impact of carbohydrate restriction on mortality is controversial with prospective research so far producing conflicting results.

(Moderate Carbohydrate Intake May be Best for Health, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)