Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.
Passage: Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century. From early in his career, Ali was known as an inspiring, controversial, and polarizing figure both inside and outside of the ring.
Question: Choose the word that is most nearly the SAME in meaning to the word 'controversial' as used in passage.