Polemic
noun
A strong criticism or disagreement over a specific issue, typically in writing.
Her essay is a clear polemic against the risks of genetic modification.
Often appears as...
- mount a polemic
- polemic against
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Related to or involving strong criticism or dispute.
His polemic approach to debate can be rather abrasive.
Often appears as...
- polemic approach
- polemic critique
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A strong criticism or disagreement over a specific issue, typically in writing.
Her essay is a clear polemic against the risks of genetic modification.
Often appears as...
- mount a polemic
- polemic against
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Related to or involving strong criticism or dispute.
His polemic approach to debate can be rather abrasive.
Often appears as...
- polemic approach
- polemic critique
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Tone
Polemic is often used in formal or educated discussions; not casual talk.
His latest article is a polemic that challenges established theories.
Pro Tip 2/3Passionate Dispute
Implies strong emotions, but backed by logic and evidence.
Her book is a fiery polemic that disputes the status quo.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Neutral
A polemic is not impartial; it takes a firm stance on one side of an argument.
The documentary served as a polemic on climate change denial.
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Tone
Polemic is often used in formal or educated discussions; not casual talk.
His latest article is a polemic that challenges established theories.
Pro Tip 2/3Passionate Dispute
Implies strong emotions, but backed by logic and evidence.
Her book is a fiery polemic that disputes the status quo.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Neutral
A polemic is not impartial; it takes a firm stance on one side of an argument.
The documentary served as a polemic on climate change denial.
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Tone
Polemic is often used in formal or educated discussions; not casual talk.
His latest article is a polemic that challenges established theories.
Pro Tip 2/3Passionate Dispute
Implies strong emotions, but backed by logic and evidence.
Her book is a fiery polemic that disputes the status quo.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Neutral
A polemic is not impartial; it takes a firm stance on one side of an argument.
The documentary served as a polemic on climate change denial.
Compare with
argumentumbelligerentcombativecontentiouscontroversialhostileopposequarrelsome
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Video examples
Wade Davis: Cultures at...
is, we believe that politicians will never accomplish anything. We think that polemics -- we think that polemics are not persuasive, but we think that storytelling can change the world, and so we are probably the best storytelling institution
Video examples
Is pop art art? PIPE Amanda...
relevant especially in the face of Miley Cyrus who some of you know it's called Gaga Palmer Madonna a polemic
Video examples
Wade Davis: Cultures at...
is, we believe that politicians will never accomplish anything. We think that polemics -- we think that polemics are not persuasive, but we think that storytelling can change the world, and so we are probably the best storytelling institution
Video examples
Is pop art art? PIPE Amanda...
relevant especially in the face of Miley Cyrus who some of you know it's called Gaga Palmer Madonna a polemic
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Fabio Cannavaro
Italian Athlete
We often talk about this VAR, this new technology. It's very important new technology. On the pitch maybe it's not clear. You cannot see... maybe from another angle in front of the TV it's much more clear. But it's, as always, football. It's easy to be much more polemic about this and that.
Quote examples
Larry Cohen
American Director
All my films have some kind of statement about something - but I have to coat it with entertainment to make it palatable. Otherwise it becomes a polemic, and people don't want to see it. If you're trying to get a message out to people, you've got to entertain them at the same time.
Quote examples
Courtney A. Kemp
American Writer
The revolution is that we can be anything. We don't have to be one thing or the other. The idea that it is my responsibility to represent only good black people... I mean, what are you talking about? That's not a character - that's a polemic.
Quote examples
Zbigniew Brzezinski
American Politician
The United States should not engage in tit-for-tat polemics directed at its most important allies. That is as demeaning as it is destructive.
Quote examples
Ian Rankin
Scottish Writer
People aren't coming to me looking for political essays or polemic - they're looking for a rattling good story.
Quote examples
Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
German Poet
When reason and unreason come into contact, an electrical shock occurs. This is called polemics.
Quote examples
Walter Benjamin
German Critic
Genuine polemics approach a book as lovingly as a cannibal spices a baby.
Quote examples
Louis Theroux
British Director
I'm not that comfortable doing polemic or being strident.
Quote examples
Richard Meier
American Architect
An important work of architecture will create polemics.
Quote examples
Ferran Adria
Spanish Chef
Innovation, being avant garde, is always polemic.
Quote examples
Fabio Cannavaro
Italian Athlete
We often talk about this VAR, this new technology. It's very important new technology. On the pitch maybe it's not clear. You cannot see... maybe from another angle in front of the TV it's much more clear. But it's, as always, football. It's easy to be much more polemic about this and that.
Quote examples
Larry Cohen
American Director
All my films have some kind of statement about something - but I have to coat it with entertainment to make it palatable. Otherwise it becomes a polemic, and people don't want to see it. If you're trying to get a message out to people, you've got to entertain them at the same time.
Quote examples
Courtney A. Kemp
American Writer
The revolution is that we can be anything. We don't have to be one thing or the other. The idea that it is my responsibility to represent only good black people... I mean, what are you talking about? That's not a character - that's a polemic.
Quote examples
Zbigniew Brzezinski
American Politician
The United States should not engage in tit-for-tat polemics directed at its most important allies. That is as demeaning as it is destructive.
Quote examples
Ian Rankin
Scottish Writer
People aren't coming to me looking for political essays or polemic - they're looking for a rattling good story.
Quote examples
Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
German Poet
When reason and unreason come into contact, an electrical shock occurs. This is called polemics.
Quote examples
Walter Benjamin
German Critic
Genuine polemics approach a book as lovingly as a cannibal spices a baby.
Quote examples
Louis Theroux
British Director
I'm not that comfortable doing polemic or being strident.
Quote examples
Richard Meier
American Architect
An important work of architecture will create polemics.
Quote examples
Ferran Adria
Spanish Chef
Innovation, being avant garde, is always polemic.
Example 1 of 10
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