polemic

American  

[puh-lem-ik, poh-] / pəˈlɛm ɪk, poʊ- /

noun

1. a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.

2. a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist.

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adjective

1. Also polemical. of or relating to a polemic; controversial.

polemic British  

/ pəˈlɛmɪsɪst, pəˈlɛmɪk, ˈpɒlɪmɪst /

adjective

1. of or involving dispute or controversy

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noun

1. an argument or controversy, esp over a doctrine, belief, etc

2. a person engaged in such an argument or controversy

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unpolemic
  adjective
• unpolemically
  adverb
• nonpolemical
  adjective
• nonpolemically
  adverb
• nonpolemic
  noun
• polemically
  adverb
• overpolemically
  adverb
• polemicist
  noun
• unpolemical
  adjective
• overpolemical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of polemic

First recorded in 1610–20; from French polémique “disputatious, argumentative,” from Greek polemikós “of or for war,” equivalent to pólem(os) “war” + -ikos -ic

Explanation

A polemic is something that stirs up controversy by having a negative opinion, usually aimed at a particular group. A piece of writing can be a polemic, as long as it gets someone's goat. Polemic comes from the Greek polemikos meaning "warlike, belligerent." It's like challenging someone to a duel of ideas. These days a polemic is usually a piece of writing, such as if the Grinch published a powerful polemic against Christmas. It's like a debate, and philosophers from Nietzsche to Voltaire are known for theirs. The British philosopher John Stuart Mill had this to say about it: "The worst offense that can be committed by a polemic is to stigmatize those who hold a contrary opinion as bad and immoral men."

Example Sentences

Polemic, however, is not the method of Belarus Free theatre.

From The Guardian • Jun. 17, 2012

Polemic miracles were wanted for a state of conflict with a dominant idolatry, It was Christianity militant, and militant with childlike arms, against Paganism triumphant.

From Theological Essays and Other Papers — Volume 1 by De Quincey, Thomas

Gospel of St. John a Polemic against, the Gnostics, 559-m.

From Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pike, Albert

Polemic against the particular claims of the false teachers, 16 end.

From The Bible Book by Book A Manual for the Outline Study of the Bible by Books by Tidwell, Josiah Blake

There is, however, one further reason for Polemic Theology being put beside Mystic.

From Mornings in Florence by Ruskin, John

Related Words

• spat