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

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

From Washington Post

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.

From Nautilus

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

From Washington Post

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.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• spat