dispute

v. argue, debate; appeal, contest; oppose, fight against

n. quarrel, disagreement, argument

A controversy or dispute is a matter of opinion over which parties actively disagree, argue, or debate. Controversies can range in size from private disputes between two individuals to large-scale disagreements between societies. Perennial areas of controversy include religion, philosophy and politics. Controversy in matters of  theology has traditionally been particularly heated, giving rise to the phrase odium theologicum. Controversial issues are held as potentially divisive in a given society, because they can lead to tension and ill will. Some controversies are considered taboo to many people, unless a society can find a common ground to share and discuss its people's feelings on a certain controversial issue.
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Noun
1. a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats"
(synonym) difference, difference of opinion, conflict
(hypernym) disagreement
(hyponym) collision
(derivation) quarrel, scrap, argufy, altercate
2. coming into conflict with
(synonym) contravention
(hypernym) resistance
(derivation) quarrel, scrap, argufy, altercate
Verb
1. take exception to; "She challenged his claims"
(synonym) challenge, gainsay
(hypernym) contest, contend, repugn
(hyponym) call
(entail) question, oppugn, call into question
(derivation) difference, difference of opinion, conflict
2. have a disagreement over something; "We quarreled over the question as to who discovered America"; "These tewo fellows are always scrapping over something"
(synonym) quarrel, scrap, argufy, altercate
(hypernym) argue, contend, debate, fence
(hyponym) brawl, wrangle
(derivation) contravention

n. dispute, controversy, disagreement, quarrel, argument, contestation

n. argument, dispute, quarrel, conflict; fight, contest, row; strife

v. fight, quarrel, tell off; compete; contest, contend