Controversial - English meaning

adjective

Able to be argued or asserted.

Usage examples:

It was arguable that the bank had no authority to honour the cheques

adjective

Possible to give reasons for and against; debatable

Usage examples:

It’s arguable that another route would be just as bad.

adjective

If something is arguable, there could be some disagreement about it

Usage examples:

It is arguable which way is quicker.

phrase

Most important in what is being discussed

Usage examples:

The point at issue is what is best for the child., at issue is whether whistleblowers are sufficien…

adjective

Causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with.

Usage examples:

Some awkward questions

adjective

Difficult to use, do, or deal with

Usage examples:

It's an awkward corner, so take it slowly., some of the questions were rather awkward., it was an a…

adjective

Causing problems, worry, or embarrassment

Usage examples:

Awkward position the government finds itself in a very awkward position., awkward situation he put …

verb

Struggle to surmount (a difficulty).

Usage examples:

She had to contend with his uncertain temper

verb

Past simple and past participle of contend

Usage examples:

There are three world-class tennis players contending for this title., he's contending against some…

verb

To compete in order to win something

Usage examples:

Contend for there are three world-class tennis players contending for this title., contend against …

adjective

Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Usage examples:

A contentious issue

adjective

Causing or likely to cause disagreement

Usage examples:

A contentious subject

adjective

Causing , involving, or likely to cause disagreement and argument

Usage examples:

A contentious decision/policy/issue/subject, contentious views she has some very contentious views …

adjective

Open to discussion or argument.

Usage examples:

It is debatable whether the country is coming out of recession

adjective

Not clear, not certain, or not fixed; possibly not true

Usage examples:

It’s debatable whether he could get a fair trial here.

adjective

Not clear or certain because different people may have different opinions

Usage examples:

[ + question word ] it's debatable whether a university degree helps at all., the value of some of …

adjective

Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality.

Usage examples:

A delicate lace shawl

noun

A delicate fabric or garment.

Usage examples:

The delicates cycle of a washing machine

adjective

Needing careful treatment, esp. because easily damaged

Usage examples:

A delicate flower, delicate jewelry, the negotiations have reached a delicate stage., it’s a delica…

adjective

Needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand.

Usage examples:

She had a difficult decision to make

adjective

Not easy or simple; hard to do or to understand

Usage examples:

It’s a difficult choice, but i’ve got to decide which job is better., he’s in a difficult situation…

adjective

Needing skill or effort

Usage examples:

A difficult problem/choice/task/language, [ + to infinitive ] it will be very difficult to prove th…

adjective

Not established as a fact, and so open to question or debate.

Usage examples:

Whether it can be described as art criticism may be disputable

adjective

Not certain

Usage examples:

People say that they produce the best athletes in the world, but i think that's disputable.

verb

Argue about (something).

Usage examples:

The point has been much disputed

noun

A disagreement or argument.

Usage examples:

A territorial dispute between the two countries

noun

A disagreement or argument.

Usage examples:

A territorial dispute between the two countries

adjective

Arousing or able to arouse intense feeling.

Usage examples:

Animal experimentation is an emotive subject

adjective

Causing strong feelings

Usage examples:

Animal experimentation is a highly emotive issue.

adjective

Subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty.

Usage examples:

Whether they had been successful or not was a moot point

verb

Raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility).

Usage examples:

The scheme was first mooted last october

noun

An assembly held for debate, especially in anglo-saxon and medieval times.

Usage examples:

Even if, as some have supposed, the manor court, or hall moot, had anglo-saxon forebears, it was an…

adjective

Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.

Usage examples:

The new method of protein detection was more sensitive than earlier ones

noun

A person who is believed to respond to paranormal influences.

Usage examples:

Thus, the positive results demonstrated by the sensitives do not appear to have resulted from ubiqu…

adjective

Having or showing awareness and understanding, esp. of other people’s feelings and needs

Usage examples:

My experience made me very sensitive to the suffering of others., tom is extremely sensitive about …

adjective

Expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one.

Usage examples:

A tendentious reading of history

adjective

(of speech or writing) expressing or supporting a particular opinion that many other people disagree with

adjective

(of a problem or issue) difficult and much debated; problematic.

Usage examples:

The vexed question of how much money the government is going to spend

verb

Make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.

Usage examples:

The memory of the conversation still vexed him

adjective

Troubling and difficult

Usage examples:

A vexed question