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

noun

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

Derived Forms

• polemicist, noun
• poˈlemically, adverb

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of polemic¹

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

Example Sentences

It linked to a short film: a 20-minute polemic against the emptiness of modern life, a lament for a vanished world of hierarchies and heroism.

From BBC

The New York Times, which had vigorously supported the Iraq invasion published four op-eds defending Strauss, polemics that employed ridicule and condescension against the unsophisticated critics who supposedly didn’t “get” the philosopher’s subtle arguments.

From Salon

Berliner’s polemic was promoted by conservative critics of NPR, which led to the resurfacing of politically charged social media posts from Maher.

From Los Angeles Times

Its signers endorsed the usual Zionist polemics, fitting all too neatly into Glazer’s description of “Jewishness and the Holocaust” being “hijacked by an occupation.”

From Salon

This galvanizing polemic by a historian appalled at American gun violence scrutinizes the historical record to show where contemporary interpretations of the Second Amendment have departed from the framers’ apparent intentions, with disastrous results.

From New York Times

Related Words

• spat