Polemical
/ˌpɒl.əˈmɪk.əl/noun
Relating to argument, controversy, or strong verbal attack.
Did you know?Its root is Greek polemos, meaning “war,” which is why polemical writing has always meant more than disagreement: it’s language used as a weapon.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
pólemos
“war, battle”
Ancient Greek
Greek
polemikós
“warlike, hostile; of or for war”
Late Latin
Latin
polemicus
“warlike, controversial”
Middle French
French
polemique
“controversial, disputatious”
17th Century
English
polemical
“controversial; engaged in dispute or attack”