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polemic

noun

Definition of polemicnext
as in diatribe

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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 polemic There is a long history of political polemics about the relation between journalism and government, and a substantial body of scholarly research and theory on that relationship. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Same polemic, just with Bush-era archetypes. — Emma Green, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 Buckley and Bale’s chemistry has no juice from the start, the characters too wrapped up in grotesque prosthetics and inky makeup and gender polemics to generate real heat between them. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2026 That feeling of brotherhood, respect, and community is badly needed now, as the world is fractured by military conflicts, political polemic, and a weakening of the social fabric that knits diverse cultures and views together. — Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemic
  1. diatribe
  2. criticism
  3. tirade
  4. harangue
  5. rebuke
  6. excoriation
  7. castigation
Noun
  • During the 2007 ceremony, Field took to the stage to accept her award — only to be cut off after launching into an emotional diatribe about the war in Iraq.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The two agreed that Springsteen's penchant in recent years for going on mid-concert political diatribes is wearing a little thin.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of diatribe
Noun
  • The remarks drew criticism from some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including the Israeli-American Council, which called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The loss aggravated criticism of quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ lack of protection for him.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • Enes Kanter Freedom exposes Natasha Cloud's profane tirade after WNBA ejection.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unleashed his own tirade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of tirade
Noun
  • Stephen Adly Guirgis, a New York playwright who specializes in urban pressure-cooker dramas, has a gift for writing subway strap-hanger harangues.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The Americans were prepared for a lecture from Russia’s longtime foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who is well known for his tedious harangues.
    — Michael Crowley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of harangue
Noun
  • Along with her equally intellectual and sardonic (some may even say pessimistic) best friend Jane, Daria provided a terrifically entertaining rebuke to late ’90s and early aughts culture.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In Iraq, the faction earned rebukes from clerics who had previously supported global jihad as well as from more mainstream religious leaders.
    — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebuke
Noun
  • If Trump is at all interested in avoiding further excoriation at home, brevity must be his priority.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
  • There’ve been the usual marches around the country, signs, excoriations from members of Congress, all under the same umbrella of resistance.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of excoriation
Noun
  • Not everyone on the right is onboard with the Kimmel castigation.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The standoff centered on the now-former assistant attorney general’s public and internal castigation of pediatric gender medicine.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of castigation

Browse Nearby Words

poled
polemic
polemical
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Cite this Entry

“Polemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemic. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on polemic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polemic

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