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 polemical

For decades now, the discourse about Israel has been far too hysterical, far too polemical, far too zero-sum.
Neither "Best Friend" Nor "Anti-Israel"|Gil Troy|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I think Philip's words provide an almost laboratory-pure example of just such a polemical tendency.
The Overheated Case Against Romneycare|David Frum|August 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This would be the opposite of blind partisanship and polemical vitriol, but would still be a conflict, even a bitter one.
The Illusory Promise of Apolitical Theology|David Sessions|June 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
These are powerful, polemical words with which it is very hard, in our present circumstances, to disagree.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Controversial Call to Arms|Tunku Varadarajan|May 22, 2010|DAILY BEAST

The results are mixed: too often the books, even those by major writers like Margaret Atwood, are polemical or affected.
The Power of Myths|Sam Munson|February 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The allusion is polemical to the vaunted progress of the Gnostic teachers.
Expositor's Bible: The Epistles of St. John|William Alexander
It is the undue humility of some and the arrogance and polemical tendency of others that prevent good general conversation.
Conversation|Mary Greer Conklin
Buchanan was the friend and adviser of Mary's enemies, and his references to her are polemical, not historical.
Mary Queen of Scots 1542-1587|Various
That is to say, their true metaphysical function is not dogmatic, but polemical.
A Commentary to Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason'|Norman Kemp Smith
There are other lessons of abiding practical importance to be drawn from the polemical elements in St. John's Epistle.
Expositor's Bible: The Epistles of St. John|William Alexander

British Dictionary definitions for polemical

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 polemical

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 polemical

polemic

adjective Also: po'lemical

noun

Word Origin for polemic

polemic

polemic