controversy, argument, conflict, debate, dispute, quarrel, strife

这组名词均有“争执、不和”之意。

controversy : 侧重指深刻的意见分歧,多指对引起广泛兴趣或非常重要的问题的辨论。

This is a controversy about Buddhism.(这是一场关于佛教的争辩。)

argument : 指辩论双方均以事实或理由来说服对方的辨论。

They were having an argument about whose turn it was to do the cooking.(他们为该轮到谁做饭而争吵不休。)

conflict : 指双方坚持已见、互不妥协,怀有敌意的争论,多暗示分歧极为严重,有时用语言无法解决,只得诉诸武力。

Your statement is in conflict with the rest of the evidence.(你的陈述同其余证据有矛盾。)

debate : 通常指经过仔细组织和计划的个人或团体之间的辩论。

They debated for over an hour on the merits of the different systems.(他们就几种不同体制的优点辩论了一个多小时。)

dispute : 普通用词,侧重指长时间,言词激烈,针锋相对的争辩。

They were disputing whether they should start at once.(他们在讨论是否应立即开始。)

quarrel : 普通用词,既可指言词激烈的争吵,也可指温和的言词上的不和。

The quarrel resulted in his mother leaving the house.(争吵导致了他母亲离家出走。)

strife : 指因不可缓和的矛盾而引起的争吵或斗殴。

We do not intend to be drawn into the internal strife.(我们不想卷入内乱之中。)

更多学习内容请看:英语专四常见词辨析系列>>>