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
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Recent Examples of polemical
After all, novels that exaggerate our social and political ills in some horrific future are the most polemical works of fiction.
—
Ron Charles, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for polemical 
Ron Charles, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for polemical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemical
Adjective
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In a day one executive order, Trump reinstated a policy that could strip protections from from thousands of civil servants, effectively bringing back his controversial first-term Schedule F employment category.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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In addition, legislators also likely will seek Powell’s views on banking regulation as Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr exits his position and as the Fed retools a controversial set of banking regulation proposals.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Nevertheless, the offer could make OpenAI’s reorganization plans more difficult – and significantly more expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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The only thing that could make persuading a group of pandemic skeptics to care about an infectious-disease outbreak more difficult is your boss—the president of the United States—undercutting your raison d’être.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
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Coming off a contentious last couple weeks for his film’s awards campaign, Audiard had a more light-hearted opportunity to reflect on his Best Picture nominee.—
Vincent Perella,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 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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Instead, her life was turned upside down last week after President Donald Trump’s administration began instituting mass layoffs as part of an aggressive effort to trim the federal workforce.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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That aggressive style of play limited how often Creighton could set up a half-court offense anchored by 7-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is four inches taller than Ejiofor, the biggest St. John’s starter.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The militant group also accused Israel of delaying the entry of essential medicines and hospital supplies, as well as not allowing tents, prefabricated houses, fuel, or rubble-removing machines into Gaza.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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The militant group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by targeting refugees with airstrikes, delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, and restricting humanitarian aid.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near polemical
Cite this Entry
“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemical. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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