dialectical

adjective

di·​a·​lec·​ti·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈlek-ti-kəl 

variants or less commonly dialectic

ˌdī-ə-ˈlek-tik 

1

philosophy

a

: of, relating to, or in accordance with dialectic

dialectical method

dialectical reasoning

b

: practicing, devoted to, or employing dialectic

a dialectical philosopher

2

linguistics : of, relating to, or characteristic of a dialect

dialectically

ˌdī-ə-ˈlek-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of dialectical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though the creator was surprised to hear Dunster’s dialectical take on the role. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026

Since Socrates, dialectical thinking had been a method of eliciting truth through questioning and refutation. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

In general, the dialectical view is specific to all the emergent constructivist approaches. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 May 2026

For the supremely dialectical artist, who liked to think in powers of two, who leaped from the second to the third to the fourth dimension and beyond—for someone like Bettina—of course there would be a sequel. — Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see dialectic

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dialectical

• dialectical materialism

Rhymes for dialectical

• spectacle