polemic

noun po·lem·ic \pə-ˈle-mik\

: a strong written or spoken attack against someone else's opinions, beliefs, practices, etc.

polemics : the art or practice of using language to defend or harshly criticize something or someone

Full Definition of POLEMIC

a : an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another

b : the art or practice of disputation or controversy —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

: an aggressive controversialist : disputant

— po·lem·i·cist \-ˈle-mə-sist\ noun

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Origin of POLEMIC

French polémique, from Middle French, from polemique controversial, from Greek polemikos warlike, hostile, from polemos war; perhaps akin to Greek pelemizein to shake, Old English ealfelo baleful

First Known Use: 1638

Rhymes with POLEMIC

endemic, pandemic, sachemic, systemic, totemic

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Nglish: Translation of "polemic" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "polemic" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "polemic"

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