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Glite Dictionary
polemical

polemical

4 9.0
To make strong critical arguments in writing or speech that cause debate
  • adjective
  • /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/
  • Formal
translation icon : polemico
  • Additionally, the Orthodox reject the dogma of the Assumption, though more for polemical reasons than anything else.
  • polemical stance
  • polemical argument
  • polemical style

And that should make them think, oh, maybe I've got things wrong rather than trying to use it as a polemical tool.

Examples

  • And, of course, there are numerous in-betweens and much polemical posturing on either side.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The author's new book features polemical arguments that challenge mainstream beliefs about climate change.

  • The letter seems designed to supply arguments for use in a polemical suit.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Second, this literature is full of polemical stereotypes.

    Academic text (2001)

  • In short, even in its polemical moments, it remains an art of privacy and introspection.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Pound is is a polemical modernist artist who is also really, as he looks right here, a Victorian Decadent.

  • Contemporary critics of Antlitz der Zeit immediately recognized its polemical and indeed political intent.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The current discourse on globalization is sometimes carried on in a polemical style uncharacteristic of past discussions in African art studies.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Oakeshott's anti-Rationalist essays have a polemical edge that his work loses after the immediate post-war years.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Her polemical style in the editorial sparked heated discussions among readers.

Synonyms

controversial
vspolemical
423 5.0

Likely to cause strong public disagreement

is more about strong disputatious criticism in speech or writing than broad debate
contentious
vspolemical
62 7.4

Causing people to disagree or argue

is centered on strong criticism in speech or writing rather than causing disagreement
tendentious
vspolemical
  • Formal
3 9.9

Showing a strong, unfair opinion that supports one side

is more about open argument and critical speech than mere bias
polemic
vspolemical
  • Formal
1 8.7

Full of strong criticism that causes debate

is used specifically for strongly critical speech or writing
expostulatory
vspolemical
  • Formal
9.9

Showing strong disagreement, usually in speech or writing

is broader, covering any strongly critical or disputatious writing or speech

Antonyms

neutral
218 3.6

Not supporting either side in a conflict

conciliatory
20 7.7

Showing a wish to calm people and reduce tension

Compounds

polemical style
  • Formal
8.6

A way of writing or speaking that argues strongly and makes people disagree

How Critical

vitriolic
  • Offensive
10 9.3
scathing
19 7.7
polemical
  • Formal
4 9.0
critical
121 5.2

Surface Forms

polemical positive
polemically positive

Morphology

polemical = polemic (semi-transparent) = polemic + al

The adjective is built regularly from the noun 'polemic', but the specialized argumentative sense may not be obvious to an average learner.

Etymology

Polemical comes from the Greek root polemos meaning 'war' and the adjective polemikos meaning 'warlike'. So a polemical article or speech is like a 'war of words': strong, attacking writing meant to challenge or fight an idea.