definitions

polemic

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

a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist.

adjective

Also po·lem·i·cal. of or relating to a polemic; controversial.

RELATED WORDS

spat, eristic, belligerent, contrary, bicker, tiff, ruckus, scene, wrangle, hassle, go, face-off, debate, row, beef, rhubarb, scrap, fight, altercation, out

Nearby words

poleax, poleaxe, polecat, poleis, polemarch, polemic, polemicize, polemics, polemist, polemize, polemology

Origin of polemic

1630–40; < Greek polemikós of or for war, equivalent to pólem(os) war + -ikos -ic

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for polemic

British Dictionary definitions for polemic

polemic

/ (pəˈlɛmɪk) /

adjective Also: po'lemical

of or involving dispute or controversy

noun

an argument or controversy, esp over a doctrine, belief, etc
a person engaged in such an argument or controversy

Derived Forms

polemically, adverbpolemicist (pəˈlɛmɪsɪst) or polemist (ˈpɒlɪmɪst), noun

Word Origin for polemic

C17: from Medieval Latin polemicus, from Greek polemikos relating to war, from polemos war
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012