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polemic

Noun

IPA /pəˈlemɪk/

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Meaning in plain English

A forceful speech or piece of writing that argues strongly for or against something.

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Pronunciation

polemic/pəˈlemɪk/

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  1. A forceful piece of writing

  2. It strongly challenges a position

A polemic argues strongly instead of presenting a neutral overview.

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  1. The book is a passionate polemic against wasteful consumer habits.
  2. We analysed a polemic that challenged the proposed education reforms.

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The book is a passionate ________ against wasteful consumer habits.
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polemic — A forceful speech or piece of writing that argues strongly for or against something.

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A forceful speech or piece of writing that argues strongly for or against something.

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Word origin

Ultimately from Greek polemikos, relating to war, from polemos, war.

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A polemic against something identifies the position being attacked.

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polemic

/pəˈlemɪk/ (Noun)

“Formal: a polemic takes a strong argumentative position; it is not a neutral summary of different views.”

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