Dialectical Meaning
/dˌaɪəˈlɛktɪkəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or pertaining to dialectic; (in philosophy) logically reasoned through the exchange of opposing ideas.
adjSynonym of dialectal (“of or pertaining to a dialect”).
Sentence Examples
The philosopher's dialectical approach was influential.
Dialectical materialism is a key concept.
The scholars engaged in a dialectical debate about economic theories.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ approach helped resolve the contradiction between two theories.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The philosopher's ____ approach was influential.
Word Origin & History
From Latin dialecticus + -al. By surface analysis, dialectic + -al or dialect + -ical.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Sure, maybe. We know — have long known — that romanticism and fatalism are dialectical lovers."
— 2025 July 21, Jean Garnett, “The Trouble With Wanting Men”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 21 Jul 2025:
"For I, and no doubt You, have long obſerved, that thoſe Dialectical ſubtleties, that the Schoolmen too often employ about Phyſiological Myſteries, are vvont much more to declare the vvit of him that uſes them, then increaſe the knovvledge or remove the doubts of ſober lovers of truth."
— 1661, Robert Boyle, “Physiological Considerations Touching the Experiments Wont to be Employed to Evince either the IV Peripatetick Elements, or the III Chymical Principls of Mixt Bodies. Part of the First Dialogue.”, in The Sceptical Chymist: or Chymico-physical Doubts & Paradoxes, […], London: […] J. Cadwell for J. Crooke, […], →OCLC, pages 14–15:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ approach helped resolve the contradiction between two theories.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The philosopher's ____ approach was influential.