Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Of or pertaining to polemics or controversy; controversial; polemic: as, polemical logic.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Polemic; controversial; disputatious.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective of, or relating to argument or controversy; polemic or contentious
  • adjective aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious.
  • noun A diatribe or polemic

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective of or involving dispute or controversy

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Lambeth council, which is consulting the public on the idea until September 10, admits the debate is "polemical" - with local residents and businesses in favour of a ban but cyclists opposed.

    Evening Standard - Home 2010

  • It is convenient for many of the Europhiliacs to dismiss much of what Christopher Booker writes as polemical, that is when they are not in total denial mode.

    A "true myth" is born Richard 2007

  • It is convenient for many of the Europhiliacs to dismiss much of what Christopher Booker writes as polemical, that is when they are not in total denial mode.

    Archive 2007-11-01 Helen 2007

  • Larry J. Sabato, Director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, called the polemical environment in Madison a "raging against the coming of the night" stemming from years of fiscal irresponsibility, and said the pain has just begun.

    Yahoo! News: Business - Opinion 2011

  • Hence his criticism at this period was, as he himself has styled it, "polemical" and

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 102, April, 1866 Various

  • "I think Mitchell wrote it with a kind of polemical purpose in mind, which was to warn against the dangers of the too-available divorce, and that theme didn't appeal to me," Mr.

    NYT > Home Page By ERIC GRODE 2011

  • Benedict's spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, insisted the talks between the two leaders were not "polemical" and that the issues in the 2008 document were known to be of special interest to the church in America.

    News from www.rep-am.com 2009

  • Benedict's spokesman, the Rev Federico Lombardi, insisted the talks between the two leaders were not "polemical" and that the issues in the 2008 document were known to be of special interest to the church in America.

    WalesOnline - Home 2009

  • Benedict's spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, insisted the talks between the two leaders were not "polemical" and that the issues in the 2008 document were known to be of special interest to the church in America.

    theadvertiser.com - 2009

  • In his private life he seemed to have been most lovable and estimable, although some of his writings, according to Julian, were "polemical" and "acrid in tone."

    CyberBrethren-A Lutheran Blog 2009

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