German Conversation · Level 112
45 words
German word
umstritten
Pronunciation
IPA/ʊmˈʃtʁɪtn̩/
Meaning
- adjectivecontroversial
Example
Das Gesetz ist umstritten.
The law is controversial.
More examples
Das war schon lange ein umstrittenes Thema.
That had long been a controversial topic.
Core concept
A public decision is pulled between firmly opposed sides instead of enjoying broad agreement.
Common phrases
ein umstrittenes Thema
a controversial topic
als umstritten gelten
be considered controversial
stark umstritten
highly controversial
Similar words
kontrovers: Marked by strong opposing views that readily spark public debate.
strittig: Under dispute in discussion or legal proceedings, with the outcome still unresolved.
Definition in German
umstritten meint, dass zu einer Sache heftige oder anhaltende Meinungsverschiedenheiten bestehen.
Word origin
The adjective umstritten developed from the verb umstreiten, whose second element streiten descends from Old High German strītan, meaning to argue.
Usage tips
- Umstritten is common in factual reporting and does not by itself state whether the speaker supports or rejects the matter.
Other meanings
- debatableadjective
- disputedadjective
Opposites
- unumstrittenuncontroversialadjective
- unbestrittenundisputedadjective