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View synonyms for polemic

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

polemic

/ pəˈlɛmɪsɪst; pəˈlɛmɪk; ˈpɒlɪmɪst /

adjective

  1. of or involving dispute or controversy
“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


noun

  1. an argument or controversy, esp over a doctrine, belief, etc
  2. a person engaged in such an argument or controversy
“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
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Derived Forms

  • polemicist, noun
  • poˈlemically, adverb
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Other Words From

  • po·lemi·cal·ly adverb
  • nonpo·lemic noun adjective
  • nonpo·lemi·cal adjective
  • nonpo·lemi·cal·ly adverb
  • over·po·lemi·cal adjective
  • over·po·lemi·cal·ly adverb
  • unpo·lemic adjective
  • unpo·lemi·cal adjective
  • unpo·lemi·cal·ly adverb
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of polemic1

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

Rooney is a self-proclaimed Marxist, but her novels aren’t polemics against capitalism.

Galileo responded with a stupendous piece of polemic literature entitled The Assayer, in which he pounced on this fabled story like a cat on a mouse.

Taylor doesn’t seek to salve such pain, but nor has he written a polemic.

Though it’s not a polemic, the film’s underlying argument is clear.

From Time

Entering someone else’s experience through a movie is different from being presented with statistics, or polemics.

From Vox

Grizzard said he knew early on that the study might be received as polemic.

“These accounts are dressed up in the language of religious polemic,” Williams said.

He scoffed as Abu Hassar began to roll into this Islamist polemic.

But mixed with that portion of truth is a larger portion of polemic and apologetic.

But neither is it a rigorous sociological study or a polemic or a jeremiad.

These songs are grouped in four divisions: religious songs, polemic and satirical songs, songs of war, and songs of martyrdom.

Through political organization, historical and polemic writing and moral regeneration, these men strove to uplift their people.

No doubt there is a polemic side or aspect of theology; but so there is of all knowledge; so there is of every science.

Precisely in the same circumstances of idle and absurd sequestration stands the term polemic.

He had been ill of the gout; and, as it seemed, had only become aware of the polemic the preceding day.

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pole mastpolemicize