Polemic Meaning
/pəˈlɛmɪk/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.
nounAn argument or controversy.
Sentence Examples
This polemic is futile!
I find that this discussion takes place with too much polemic and not enough respect.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The well-known author wrote a harsh ____ against the government's controversial policy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The article was a fierce ____ against the government's handling of the environmental crisis.
Word Origin & History
From French polémique, from Ancient Greek πολεμικός (polemikós, “of war”), from πόλεμος (pólemos, “war”). By surface analysis, polem- + -ic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A fourth hindrance is by some held to be, that many of our polemic publications are too polemic. Some hold that we should urge the simple Gospel, and make no attack on Hinduism or Muhammadanism ."
— 1893, Report of the Third Decennial Missionary Conference:
"To explain some of these challenges, it is useful to take a brief and polemic look at the one area that is perhaps most fundamentally affected by the new conditions: the workplace."
— 1995, Patrick Nicol Troy, Technological Change and the City:
"Using a rather polemic tone, Mutua (2002) argues that interpretations of human rights are not neutral but very much embedded in cultural and political assumptions"
— 2017, Monisha Bajaj, Human Rights Education: Theory, Research, Praxis:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The well-known author wrote a harsh ____ against the government's controversial policy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The article was a fierce ____ against the government's handling of the environmental crisis.