polemical

adjective

po·​lem·​i·​cal pə-ˈle-mi-kəl 

variants or less commonly polemic

pə-ˈle-mik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a polemic : controversial

2

: engaged in or addicted to polemics : disputatious

polemically

pə-ˈle-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• controversial
• contentious
• aggressive
• militant

Examples of polemical in a Sentence

during the Middle Ages even theologians could be surprisingly polemical in their writings

an unnecessarily polemical look at the supposed incompatibility between science and religion

Recent Examples on the Web

This book is exactly the kind of radical pamphlet Zinn cites as an essential American form: polemical ideas, plainly written, and published in simple, short volumes that are easily shared and easily hidden away. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025

Hernández’s humor has never been political or polemical. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025

For too long, Democratic leaders have pulled their polemical punches, seemingly afraid of losing someone’s vote somewhere or offending the Beltway ideal of staying safely within the cocoon of Reagan-O’Neill bipartisanship. —Mark Green, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

The unlikely success comes as the film remains in headlines past its Oscar victory and its directors’ acceptance speech, which was defiantly polemical amid a largely apolitical ceremony. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polemical

• alchemical
• academical
• agrochemical
• biochemical
• cytochemical
• geochemical
• histochemical
• microchemical
• neurochemical
• petrochemical
• photochemical
• phytochemical