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Controversy vs Altercation - What's the difference?

controversy | altercation |

As nouns the difference between controversy and altercation

is that controversy is a debate, discussion of opposing opinions; strife while altercation is warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.

controversy

Noun

(controversies)
  • A debate, discussion of opposing opinions; strife.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=October 1 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The game was engulfed in controversy when Rodwell appeared to win the ball cleanly in a midfield challenge with Suarez. The tackle drew an angry response from Liverpool's players- Lucas in particular as Suarez writhed in agony - but it was an obvious injustice when the England Under-21 midfielder was shown the red card.}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * controversial

    References

    altercation

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.
  • * (rfdate), Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear
  • "What the hell is it to you who are my friends?" roared McMurdo in a voice which brought every head in the carriage round to witness the altercation .

    Synonyms

    * dispute, wrangle