Meaning & use
polemics
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“polemics” is a form of “polemic”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralformal
Strong written or spoken attacks on, or defenses of, a belief, policy or person.
Grammar: Plural of polemic; takes a plural verb: her polemics were controversial.
Patterns
- polemics against something
- polemics on something
The newspaper published a series of polemics against the new tax.
His polemics on education reform angered many teachers.
She wrote fierce polemics defending free speech.
nounsingularformal
The practice or skill of arguing forcefully about controversial subjects.
Grammar: Treated as singular or plural in practice: polemics is a part of political writing.
Polemics has a long tradition in political journalism.
The professor studied the polemics of religious debate.
He disliked the polemics that dominated the online forum.
Word forms
| singular | polemic |
|---|
Common combinations
- political polemics
- Political polemics filled the newspapers before the vote.
- religious polemics
- Religious polemics divided the town for generations.
- bitter polemics
- The two critics engaged in bitter polemics.
- engage in polemics
- He prefers to avoid engaging in polemics.
- polemics against
- Her polemics against the mayor were widely read.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tirade
- Is a long angry speech, whereas a polemic is a reasoned though forceful argument.
- diatribe
- Is more bitterly abusive, while polemics may still follow a logical case.
- controversy
- Is a public disagreement itself, not the written or spoken attack.
- debate
- Is more balanced and takes both sides, while polemics usually argue one side strongly.
Opposites
Word family
- polemic noun
- one strongly argued attack or defense
- polemical adjective
- involving strong argument or attack
- polemicist noun
- a person who writes polemics
- polemicize verb
- to argue in a polemical style
Commonly confused: polemics or politics?
polemics vs politics
Politics concerns government and power; polemics are forceful arguments that may be about politics or anything else.
Practice
The columnist is known for his ____ against government spending, which are fierce but carefully argued.
Choose one answer.
Polemics are forceful written or spoken arguments. Platitudes are dull, overused remarks and would not be fierce or carefully argued.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “polemics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.