polemical

adjective

pə-ˈle-mi-kəl How to pronounce polemical (audio)
variants also polemic
Definition of polemicalnext
1
as in controversial
given to arguing during the Middle Ages even theologians could be surprisingly polemical in their writings

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions an unnecessarily polemical look at the supposed incompatibility between science and religion

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of polemical The slapstick titles—Crackned Horsez, To of Them, Ape Island, all 1972—further stymied any straightforwardly polemical takeaway. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 The Wall Street Journal editorial board has recommended Congress review funding for materials that appear polemical, given that both FJC and NAS receive taxpayer support. — Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Yet as Fennell has proved in a slew of interviews about the already polemical film, released Friday, the relationship between Brontë’s Gothic epic and its latest adaptation is more complicated than that. — Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2026 This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polemical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemical
  1. controversial
  2. contentious
  3. aggressive
Adjective
  • Cunningham's controversial remarks came in an ESPN interview last month, saying her position is a matter of common sense.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Mayor Andre Dickens is opposing a controversial plan to move the famed Olympic cauldron from Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • Transcripts reviewed by ProPublica and The Post show the hearing frequently resembled a contentious criminal trial.
    — Molly Hensley-Clancy, ProPublica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The team was in bankruptcy court in part because of legal issues with its prior owner, Frank McCourt, who was locked in contentious divorce proceedings.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • Raman said the city has lost tens of thousands of film jobs under Bass and said Los Angeles needs a more aggressive film tax credit to compete with other states.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Philadelphia came out aggressive in the second half, took control of the game, and tied it in the 58th minute on a close-range header from Neil Pierre on a cross from Milan Iloski after a free kick.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive

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polemic
polemical
polemicist
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Cite this Entry

“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemical. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on polemical

Nglish: Translation of polemical for Spanish Speakers

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