contentious decision

[/kənˈtenʃəs dɪˈsɪʒən/]
noun phrasepl: contentious decisions
decisão controversa
1. A decision or ruling that causes heated debate, disagreement, or controversy among people who hold opposing views about its merits or fairness
The Supreme Court's contentious decision on abortion rights sparked protests across the nation.
A decisão controversa da Suprema Corte sobre direitos reprodutivos provocou protestos em toda a nação.
2. A judgment or choice made by an authority figure that is disputed or challenged by multiple parties
The manager's contentious decision to lay off half the staff divided the board members.
A decisão controversa do gerente de demitir metade da equipe dividiu os membros do conselho.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, contentious decisions typically refer to judicial rulings or executive choices that provoke public discourse. In the USA, Supreme Court decisions on social issues are frequently described as contentious. In Brazil, contentious decisions often relate to political appointments, labor disputes, or constitutional matters. The term reflects the democratic emphasis on debating important decisions across both cultures.
NYC Slang
a hot-button ruling / a divisive call
Synonyms / Sinônimos
controversial decisiondisputed decisiondebatable decisioncontroversial rulingdivisive decision
Antonyms / Antônimos
unanimous decisionuncontroversial decisionsettled decisionagreed-upon decision

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
decisão controversa
Most common term used in formal and informal contexts
General Brazilian Portuguese
decisão polêmica
Alternative translation emphasizing the heated nature of the controversy
Portugal
decisão controversa
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; 'polêmica' is also used
Legal contexts
acórdão controverso / sentença controversa
More specific legal terminology for controversial court rulings

Related Words

controversialdisputeddisagreementjudicial rulingcontroversydebatedissent

Related Idioms & Phrases

a bone of contention
stir up controversy
get people talking
draw criticism from all sides
split opinion
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →