polemic

[ puh-lem-ik, poh- ]

/ pəˈlɛm ɪk, poʊ- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR polemic ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

Origin of polemic

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

Related forms

po·lem·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·po·lem·ic, noun, adjectivenon·po·lem·i·cal, adjectivenon·po·lem·i·cal·ly, adverb

o·ver·po·lem·i·cal, adjectiveo·ver·po·lem·i·cal·ly, adverbun·po·lem·ic, adjectiveun·po·lem·i·cal, adjectiveun·po·lem·i·cal·ly, adverb

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

Examples from the Web for polemic

Grizzard said he knew early on that the study might be received as polemic.
Playing Violent Video Games Makes You a Better Person, Study Says|Kevin Zawacki|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He scoffed as Abu Hassar began to roll into this Islamist polemic.
The Fourth War: My Lunch with a Jihadi|Elliot Ackerman|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But mixed with that portion of truth is a larger portion of polemic and apologetic.
My Pushback to Chris Hayes|David Frum|September 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But neither is it a rigorous sociological study or a polemic or a jeremiad.
Too Soon to Write: Choire Sicha’s ‘Very Recent History’|Stefan Beck|August 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Headlines in France on Wednesday said the pop singer "avoided a clash," "calmed the polemic," "gave up," or even "gave in."
Madonna Caves in French Swastika Kerfuffle|Tracy McNicoll|August 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In no school should the Bible be opened to reveal the sword of the polemic, but to unloose the dove of peace.
Popular Education|Ira Mayhew
His attitude is prophylactic, rather than polemic, for the “philosophy” has not as yet taken deep root.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6|Various
But he possessed other accomplishments beside those of the polemic.
Western Characters|J. L. McConnel
It is not so much in the polemic or in the scholar we are interested, as in the man.
Andrew Melville|William Morison
His passion for the relics of the saints appears in his polemic Contra Vigilantium.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume I of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor

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 Formspolemically, 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

Word Origin and History for polemic

polemic

1630s, "controversial argument or discussion," from French polémique (16c./17c.), noun use of adjective meaning "disputatious, controversial" (see polemic (adj.)).

polemic

adj.

1640s, from French polémique (from Middle French polemique) "disputatious, controversial," or directly from Greek polemikos "of war, warlike, belligerent; skilled in war, fit for service; like an enemy, stirring up hostility," from polemos "war," of unknown origin. Related: Polemical (1630s).

polemic

noun

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of polemic

Examples from the Web for polemic

polemic

adjective Also: po'lemical

noun

Word Origin for polemic

polemic

polemic