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

Despite repeated reassurances from Abbasi, Strong, writer Gabriel Sherman and actor Sebastian Stan, who plays Trump, that “The Apprentice” was not a political polemic but a character study, it seemed plausible, as recently as August, that the film would remain on the shelf until after next month’s election, if not indefinitely.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Obviously, these sides are very polemic.

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever policing is brought up as an “issue,” there are folks who will think that a documentary will be a polemic against the police or that a documentary will be something that reinforces their own analysis of policing.

From Los Angeles Times

In several senses, Walsh’s book is the polar opposite of Goldberg’s: It’s history, not polemics; it locates actual fascists on the right, where they actually were, and — most fundamentally — it meticulously includes the sort of messy, contradictory information that Goldberg’s polemic thoroughly excluded.

From Salon

Related Words

• spat