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be controversial

[/bi kənˈtrɒvɜːrʃəl/]
verb phrase
ser controverso / gerar controvérsia
1. to be the subject of heated debate or dispute; to cause disagreement or argument
The new policy will be controversial among employees.
A nova política será controversa entre os funcionários.
2. to provoke public discussion about the appropriateness or morality of something
His statements about the election were controversial.
Suas declarações sobre a eleição foram controversas.
NYC Slang
be mad controversial / be sus
Synonyms
be disputedbe debatablebe contentiousspark debatebe subject to disagreement
Antonyms
be uncontroversialbe acceptedbe agreed uponbe undisputed

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser controverso / causar controvérsia / gerar polêmica
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
ser polêmico / gerar discussão
Regional preference for 'polêmico'
Portugal
ser controverso / suscitar controvérsia
More formal register preferred in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

stir up controversy
raise eyebrows
open a can of worms
cause a stir
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