polemical
adjective
po·lem·i·cal
pə-ˈle-mi-kəl 
variants
or less commonly polemic
1
: of, relating to, or being a polemic : controversial
2
: engaged in or addicted to polemics : disputatious
Examples of polemical in a Sentence
during the Middle Ages even theologians could be surprisingly polemical in their writings
an unnecessarily polemical look at the supposed incompatibility between science and religion
Recent Examples on the Web
The unlikely success comes as the film remains in headlines past its Oscar victory and its directors’ acceptance speech, which was defiantly polemical amid a largely apolitical ceremony.
—
Marc Tracy, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Since his decision to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX, their meaning has only become more slippery, just as his artistic output has become less polemical.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
The unlikely success comes as the film remains in headlines past its Oscar victory and its directors’ acceptance speech, which was defiantly polemical amid a largely apolitical ceremony.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Jesus, whether a historical figure or not, exists for us only as a literary character in a series of polemical exchanges.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Marc Tracy, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Since his decision to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX, their meaning has only become more slippery, just as his artistic output has become less polemical.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
The unlikely success comes as the film remains in headlines past its Oscar victory and its directors’ acceptance speech, which was defiantly polemical amid a largely apolitical ceremony.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Jesus, whether a historical figure or not, exists for us only as a literary character in a series of polemical exchanges.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polemical
Cite this Entry
“Polemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polemical. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share