polemic

[puh-lem-ik, poh-] / pəˈlɛm ɪk, poʊ- /

ADJECTIVE

argumentative

Synonyms

STRONG

belligerent contrary eristic

WEAK

combative contentious controversial disputatious factious fire-eating having a chip on one's shoulder litigious opinionated polemical pugnacious quarrelsome salty scrappy spiky touchy

NOUN

argument

Synonyms

STRONGEST

spat

STRONG

altercation beef bicker bickering blowup bone brawl brush clash contention controversy crusher debate difficulty disagreement dispute dustup exchange face-off feud fight finisher flap fuss gin go hassle knockdown out quarrel rhubarb romp row ruckus ruction rumpus run-in scene scrap set-to shindy squabble static stew tiff word words wrangle

WEAK

bone of contention bone to pick brannigan difference of opinion donnybrook falling-out knock-down-drag-out

Antonyms

STRONG

agreement calm ease friendship harmony peace

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But this is a work of history, not a polemic.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2025

In every race, in every discussion, in every polemic, there is always a good power and a bad power, good guys and bad guys.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2023

What Rufo is talking about is a classic bait-and-switch — cutting and pasting a polemic from one place into another for a strategic advantage.

From Salon • May 30, 2023

Part dogged investigation, part extended polemic, “Picasso the Foreigner” is organized around a provocative claim: Because of his immigrant background, Picasso was continually rejected and marginalized by the French establishment.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023

"Watch that temper, that's discipline, too. Learn to demolish your brotherly opponents with ideas, with polemic skill. The other is for our enemies. Save it for them. And go get some rest."

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

polemic

Example Sentences

Related Words