polemic

1 of 2

noun

po·​lem·​ic pə-ˈle-mik 

1

a

: an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another

b

: the art or practice of disputation or controversy

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

2

: an aggressive controversialist : disputant

polemicist

pə-ˈle-mə-sist 

noun

polemic

2 of 2

adjective

po·​lem·​ic pə-ˈle-mik 

less common variant of polemical

1

: of, relating to, or being a polemic : controversial

2

: engaged in or addicted to polemics : disputatious

Did you know?

Diatribe, jeremiad, philippic … the English language sure has a lot of formal words for the things we say or write when we are—to use a decidedly less formal term—big mad. We will refrain from going on a tirade about it, however, especially since it’s good to have options with subtle differences in tone and meaning. Polemic, which traces back ultimately to the Greek word for war, polemos, is the word you want to refer specifically to an aggressive attack on someone’s ideas or principles. Someone who is cheesed off because they don’t like cheese, for example, wouldn’t write a polemic about it. A turophile upset about the gustatory philosophy behind their local cheesemonger’s recent offerings just might.

Examples of polemic in a Sentence

Noun

Her book is a fierce polemic against the inequalities in our society.

They managed to discuss the issues without resorting to polemics.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Once upon a time, the idea that the world was growing stupider was mostly confined to the realm of dyspeptic reactionary polemic. — James Marriott, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

There are some films like this on other social justice issues that movie beyond a kind of polemic into a deeper exploration of the material. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Colleges and universities nationwide continue to grapple with polemic issues associated with the fair treatment of individuals of differing backgrounds, political persuasions, and sexuality. — Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Colón’s colorful life, always anchored by his beloved New York, included often-polemic stints in politics, art and film. — Leila Cobo, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French polémique, from Middle French, from polemique controversial, from Greek polemikos warlike, hostile, from polemos war; perhaps akin to Greek pelemizein to shake, Old English ealfelo baleful

First Known Use

Noun

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for polemic

• anaemic
• endemic
• glycemic
• pandemic
• systemic
• academic
• epidemic
• epistemic
• chemic
• remic
• hypovolemic
• nonacademic

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Kids Definition

polemic

noun

po·​lem·​ic pə-ˈlem-ik 

: an aggressive attack on the opinions or beliefs of another

polemical

-ˈlem-i-kəl

adjective

also polemic

polemically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb