controversy
KON-truh-vur-seenounMeaning a long public disagreement
Memory hook CONTRA-VERSE: views turned AGAINST. At the museum, half the crowd loves the new painting and half calls it a mess, and the argument goes on for weeks in public. Views turned against each other make a controversy.
The new school mascot stirred up a controversy on the letters page of the local paper.
In context The painting caused a controversy when it was unveiled: some critics called it a masterpiece, others called it a mess, and the arguments filled the papers for months.
Similar dispute, debate, argument, quarrel
Opposite agreement, consensus, accord
From Latin controversia, “a dispute,” from controversus, “turned against”: contra (against) + versus (turned).