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Definition of "polemic" [po•lem•ic]

  • A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine. (noun)
  • A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation. (noun)
  • Of or relating to a controversy, argument, or refutation. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "polemic" in a sentence
  • "Sure, you can try to be anal and disagree with my use of the term polemic, and go on and on about how you don't like someone who also used that definition to present a pretty sound model, but it's just lazy."
  • "Not sure I want to trust an anti-industry polemic from a probable lefty, with a history of twisting truth (see the full Aftershocks review) as reliable fact."
  • "Perhaps the entire polemic is much ado about nothing?"