polemic
Americannoun
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a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
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a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist.
adjective
adjective
noun
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an argument or controversy, esp over a doctrine, belief, etc
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a person engaged in such an argument or controversy
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing polemic
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Long Walk to Freedom
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The New Jim Crow
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These charming scenes show that championing one’s identity need not always be polemic.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
But if you’re a fan of Everett’s unsparing truth-telling, you’re likely to be disappointed by this sweetened version of his polemic.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2023
His Glastonbury set opened with the angry, antagonistic Hate, followed quickly by Plastic, a polemic about the seductive but reductive allure of consumer culture.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2023
What Rufo is talking about is a classic bait-and-switch — cutting and pasting a polemic from one place into another for a strategic advantage.
From Salon • May 30, 2023
Bobby wanted the film to be a polemic,, not a biography—and he certainly didn’t want it to be about his bodyguard.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
