controversially

UK: /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜː^rʃ^əli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•tro•ver•sial /ˌkɑntrəˈvɜrʃəl/   adj. 

1. of, characterized by, or subject to controversy:
   a controversial decision to give the rapist probation and not a jail term.
2. enjoying controversy;
   eager to engage in controversy:
   a controversial figure in politics.

con•tro•ver•sial•ly, adv. See -vert-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•tro•ver•sial  (kon′trə vûr′shəl), adj. 

1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of controversy;
   polemical:
   a controversial book.
2. subject to controversy;
   debatable:
   a controversial decision.
3. given to controversy;
   disputatious.

• Late Latin contrōversiālis, equivalent. to Latin contrōversi(a) controversy + -ālis -al¹
• 1575–85

con′tro•ver′sial•ism, n. 
con′tro•ver′sial•ist, n. 
con′tro•ver′sial•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. arguable, questionable.