polemical
|po-lem-i-cal|
🇺🇸
/pəˈlɛmɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌpɒlɪˈmɪkəl/
argumentative (like verbal warfare)
Etymology
'polemical' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polemikos', where 'polemos' meant 'war'.
'polemical' came into English via Late Latin and French forms based on Greek 'polemikos' and developed in Middle English into the modern adjective 'polemical'.
Initially it had a sense related to 'warlike' or 'hostile'; over time it evolved to mean 'argumentative' or 'controversial' in speech and writing.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech.
Her article was deliberately polemical, challenging many widely held assumptions.
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Adjective 2
characterized by or given to polemics — the practice of strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
He adopted a polemical tone in debates, often attacking opponents rather than seeking compromise.
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Last updated: 2025/11/15 08:05