French Conversation · Level 101
60 words
French word
controverser
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔ̃tʁovɛʁse/
Meaning
- verbargue
Example
Ils controversent souvent sur ce sujet.
They often argue about this subject.
More examples
Je ne veux pas controverser ce soir avec mes amis.
I don't want to argue with my friends tonight.
Core concept
A claim meets spoken opposition and becomes a structured debate.
Common phrases
controverser une thèse
dispute a thesis
une décision très controversée
a highly controversial decision
controverser un argument
challenge an argument
Similar words
discuter: To discuss opinions or ideas together with another person.
débattre: To consider an issue through an exchange of views from different sides.
contester: To dispute an opinion or claim or call its truth into question.
argumenter: To explain an opinion with reasons and examples in an effort to persuade.
Definition in French
Manifester son opposition par la parole et débattre d'une proposition, souvent en contestant une affirmation.
Word origin
French controverser comes from Medieval Latin controversari, based on contra, 'against', and vertere, 'to turn'.
Usage tips
- Controverser is formal and less common in everyday speech, where discuter or débattre is usually preferred.
Other meanings
- debateverb
- disputeverb
Opposites
- approuverapproveverb
Related words
- controversecontroversynoun
- controversécontroversialadjective