polemic

[puh-lem-ik, poh-]

noun

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

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

adjective

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

polemic

/ pəˈlɛmɪsɪst, pəˈlɛmɪk, ˈpɒlɪmɪst /

adjective

1. of or involving dispute or controversy

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of polemic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of polemic¹

C17: from Medieval Latin polemicus, from Greek polemikos relating to war, from polemos war

Example Sentences

Southerners wrote elaborate polemics describing Southern society as the natural heir to Athens and Rome, and Southern Protestant denominations split off from their Northern coreligionists, claiming the Bible sanctioned slavery.

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The sculpture has long sparked polemics: While adherents of the left generally applauded it, and some visitors would leave flowers, critics assailed the artwork as a tasteless shrine to a bloody communist dictatorship.

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Apart from fierce polemics, the election has generated widespread confusion.

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While generating political polemics, Sunday’s vote has not triggered the raucous street rallies that generally accompany Mexican balloting.

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Rather than slide into polemic or tragic melodrama, Nguyen leans into the tension between the four half-siblings to unpack the complicated roles that surveillance, big tech and journalism play in our fractured modern state.

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Related Words

• spat