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Debated vs Controversial - What's the difference?

debated | controversial |

As adjectives the difference between debated and controversial

is that debated is disputed, under discussion, not settled while controversial is arousing controversy—a debate or discussion of opposing opinions.

As a verb debated

is (debate).

debated

English

Adjective

(head)
  • disputed, under discussion, not settled.
  • Verb

    (head)
  • (debate)
  • controversial

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Arousing controversy—a debate or discussion of opposing opinions.
  • * (rfdate) Macaulay:
  • Whole libraries of controversial books.

    Usage notes

    * Nouns often used with "controversial": topic, subject, work, author, method, etc.

    Synonyms

    * contentious * contested

    Antonyms

    * uncontroversial * noncontroversial * incontrovertible

    Derived terms

    * controversialness

    See also

    * disputatious * polemical * disputable * controvertible * debatable