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
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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
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Recent Examples of polemical
Blowups at literary journals are not the most pressing news of the day, but the incident at Guernica reveals the extent to which elite American literary outlets may now be beholden to the narrowest polemical and moralistic approaches to literature.
—
Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
Their common origin stories — riverfront military garrisons that grew into bicultural communities — have diverged in ways that reflect the dynamics of this contested and polemical region.
—Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
This challenge is more complicated than supporting outright polemical films such as Land of Freedom, 200 Mules, and The Plot against the President.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Now, with Mexico embarking upon another national election year — and with the 30th anniversary of the Colosio assassination approaching — the incendiary case, and all its polemical parts, have been thrust back into the political scrum.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polemical 
Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
Their common origin stories — riverfront military garrisons that grew into bicultural communities — have diverged in ways that reflect the dynamics of this contested and polemical region.
—Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
This challenge is more complicated than supporting outright polemical films such as Land of Freedom, 200 Mules, and The Plot against the President.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Now, with Mexico embarking upon another national election year — and with the 30th anniversary of the Colosio assassination approaching — the incendiary case, and all its polemical parts, have been thrust back into the political scrum.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polemical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemical
Adjective
-
Several House and Senate Democrats supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act despite the bill’s controversial measures.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The Cubs kept his access time brief, knowing he would be asked about the controversial subject.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Simplifying Complexity Through Narratives Leaders often need to communicate complex strategies or concepts, which can be difficult for teams to fully grasp.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The emotional weight of losing that independence is difficult to quantify, but its impact is profound.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The loud and contentious debate about whether Indiana and SMU deserved CFP at-large bids overshadowed the reality of postseason football in both college and the NFL.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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President Joe Biden prioritized student loan forgiveness during his term, introducing broad and contentious programs—challenged by his opponents in the courts—to relieve people of large chunks of their college debt.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In 2020, a longtime bus driver was shot and killed by an argumentative passenger.—
Dan Belson,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Dec. 2024
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Sometimes, defiant and argumentative behavior results when a child attempts to assert control.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
24 July 2024
Adjective
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With how aggressive Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has been on fourth down, Fangio has to treat third down like second down.—
Ted Nguyen,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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So far, investors have been relieved President Donald Trump has backed away from aggressive, across-the-board tariffs during his first days in office.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In any case, the militant Islamist group is no longer the same organization that launched the October 7, 2023, massacre.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2025
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Palestinian statehood remains very difficult question for Israel to answer, pushed further away by the October 7 attacks and 15 months of brutal war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near polemical
Cite this Entry
“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemical. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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