dialectical

adjective

di·​a·​lec·​ti·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈlek-ti-kəl How to pronounce dialectical (audio)
variants or less commonly dialectic
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 adverb

Examples of dialectical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Liberalism has evolved in a dialectical fashion as people’s concerns have changed. Alan S. Kahan, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 The most common form of treatment is talk therapy, experts said, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023 Among the host of services, Friendly House’s therapists and counselors offer a variety of treatments, such as motivational enhancement therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and varied somatic therapies. Caroline Brew, Variety, 24 Oct. 2023 Sembène is perhaps the most finely rhetorical filmmaker ever, and scenes of verbal disputation are the most distinctive feature of his work—a dialectical method that proves to be both essentially political and essentially cinematic. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023 This dialectical mission is responsible for the spiraling self-consciousness that is the most distinctive (and, to some readers, the most annoying) aspect of his writing. Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023 Under Xi, the CCP will evaluate changing international circumstances through the prism of dialectical analysis—and not necessarily in ways that will make sense to outsiders. Kevin Rudd, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2022 Psychotherapies: Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be helpful for individuals who have attempted suicide. Sarah Klein, Health, 26 June 2023 Some cultures are better than others at dialectical thinking—and my wife is right that Americans tend to be especially weak at it. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dialectical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see dialectic

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dialectical was in 1532

Dictionary Entries Near dialectical

Cite this Entry

“Dialectical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialectical. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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