variants
also polemic
1
as in controversial
given to arguing
during the Middle Ages even theologians could be surprisingly polemical in their writings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
an unnecessarily polemical look at the supposed incompatibility between science and religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polemical
When pluralism implies of ideas, of ideologies, of parties, sometimes inimical to each other, sometimes polemical, sometimes in the attempt to make compromises in order to rule a country.
—
Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2016
The motion picture industry first moved aggressively into polemical territory during the prewar interregnum from 1939 to 1941, when Europe was at war but America wasn’t.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
After all, novels that exaggerate our social and political ills in some horrific future are the most polemical works of fiction.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Blowups at literary journals are not the most pressing news of the day, but the incident at Guernica reveals the extent to which elite American literary outlets may now be beholden to the narrowest polemical and moralistic approaches to literature.
—Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2016
The motion picture industry first moved aggressively into polemical territory during the prewar interregnum from 1939 to 1941, when Europe was at war but America wasn’t.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
After all, novels that exaggerate our social and political ills in some horrific future are the most polemical works of fiction.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Blowups at literary journals are not the most pressing news of the day, but the incident at Guernica reveals the extent to which elite American literary outlets may now be beholden to the narrowest polemical and moralistic approaches to literature.
—Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemical
Adjective
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Bezos was also behind The Washington Post’s controversial decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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Cholesterol and Heart Health The keto diet's effects on cholesterol levels and heart health remain controversial.—
Melissa Nieves,
Verywell Health,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Third, operational command of Kamikaze planes is difficult because results cannot be evaluated with any accuracy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Instead, the major drama comes in the form of Ivy’s corruption by her acting coach, as Ivy gradually goes method and becomes as difficult to work with as Marilyn was (one of this musical’s many meta moments).—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, all three of these studies come from a closely affiliated group of researchers, are based on the same dataset tracking maternal health, and use contentious measures of both IQ and fluoride exposure.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2025
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Policies around taxes, the federal budget and migration were widely seen as contentious points among the parties.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Totting up working hours places us on Musk’s argumentative terrain.—
Charlie Tyson,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
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While the folksy, friendly Readers’ Digest-style publications have faded, some thoughtful if politically argumentative ones still thrive – The Atlantic and The Economist, for example.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There are also more aggressive interventions for people with severe allergies who don’t respond to other medicines like desensitization therapy, also known as allergy shots.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
5 Apr. 2025
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The two were very aggressive from the start of the fight, with a lot of output.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The group wrote to Bondi to argue that the influencer should be investigated over whether she has been paid to spread propaganda for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, it was first reported by the New York Post.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
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And in Lebanon, a series of Israeli attacks on the country have decapitated the militant group Hezbollah.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemical. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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