BusinessAugust 16, 2026
polemical
puh-LEM-ih-kul
Definition
Relating to or involving strongly critical, aggressive, or disputatious writing or speech intended to attack a specific doctrine or position.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'polemikos', meaning 'warlike' or 'hostile', which comes from 'polemos', meaning 'war'. It entered English in the 17th century to describe argumentative writing.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe the document Martin Luther nailed to a church door, characterizing it as a provocative text that challenged established religious authority.
Introducing International Relations: Connectivity, Communications and Technology
Read the full article ↗E-International Relations