variants
also polemic
1
as in controversial
given to arguing
during the Middle Ages even theologians could be surprisingly polemical in their writings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
an unnecessarily polemical look at the supposed incompatibility between science and religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of polemical
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
Since his decision to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX, their meaning has only become more slippery, just as his artistic output has become less polemical.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Since his decision to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX, their meaning has only become more slippery, just as his artistic output has become less polemical.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemical
Adjective
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But in 2023, Meloni’s government struck an agreement with Albania – a non-EU country – to build controversial migrant detention centers and subvert the EU agreement.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Reese has become arguably the most controversial figure in women's basketball since then.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These events encourage community members to dispose of hazardous materials like gasoline, oil, chemicals, and more, which can be difficult to dispose of and pose a safety risk if not handled correctly.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
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Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The close, caring but contentious relationships among the three Williams women constitute some of the new season’s greatest pleasures.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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The filibuster remains a contentious fixture, shaping negotiations and highlighting deep divisions in Congress.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There is no place for violence for these particular types of minor, or even just argumentative, disputes.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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That conversation also became increasingly argumentative.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Being passive aggressive and giving non-committal responses is clearly not working.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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But even with the aggressive approach, the talent gap was evident.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the militant revanche of the late Putin era, men are men, women are women, and the men are in charge.—
Julia Ioffe,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
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Pakistan has long accused Kabul of harboring the Pakistani Taliban militant group (known as the TTP), which its Afghan namesake denies.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemical. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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