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 contentious
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
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Recent Examples of polemical
In his discussion of history, America’s War on Terror, and creative resistance, Zinn’s essays are plain spoken but polemical, challenging us to not limit ourselves and never accept the story we’re offered.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
In the end, Larsen and Letteney make their polemical point unambiguously plain.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
The White House’s approach to social media now resembles the polemical, trolling, vicious manner of posting that Fuentes and his fans helped pioneer.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Colón’s colorful life, always anchored by his beloved New York, included often-polemic stints in politics, art and film.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
In the end, Larsen and Letteney make their polemical point unambiguously plain.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
The White House’s approach to social media now resembles the polemical, trolling, vicious manner of posting that Fuentes and his fans helped pioneer.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Colón’s colorful life, always anchored by his beloved New York, included often-polemic stints in politics, art and film.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemical
Adjective
-
The 2001-02 Kings finished 61-21 to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference and pushed the Lakers to a seventh game in one of the most controversial conference finals in NBA history, a series Kings fans still believe was rigged against them.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
University officials based the invites on opinion polls and a controversial campaign fundraising formula.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Firpi has appeared as either a psychological evaluator or guardian ad litem in numerous contentious custody battles.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Water use is emerging as one of the most contentious data center issues.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
That, in turn, catalyzed the most aggressive Fed rate-hiking cycle ever and a bear market.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
-
Carolina’s penalty kill is extremely aggressive all over the ice.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemical. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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