polemic
Aggressive written argument
A polemic is an aggressive argument against something—a person, idea, or institution.
The word emphasizes attack rather than balanced discussion: His book is a polemic against capitalism.
As an adjective, polemic (or polemical) describes contentious, combative discourse: a polemical essay, polemical tone.
The plural polemics refers to the art or practice of disputation.
Formal scholarly composition
- pamphletUnbound topical booklet
- tractArea of land
- essayShort argumentative prose work
- manifestoPublished statement of principles
broadside · jeremiad · philippic · satire · lampoon · critique · screed · editorial
Formal public accusation
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- excoriationHarsh criticism; skin abrasion
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
invective · vitriol · diatribe · tirade · harangue · screed · lambasting · reproach
Causing sharp disagreement
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- hot-buttonEmotionally charged, controversial
- chargedFormally accused of crime
volatile · contested · tendentious · provocative · inflammatory · sensitive · taboo · incendiary
Formal argumentative exchange
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
refutation · counterargument · cross-examination · forensics · rhetoric · oratory · deliberation · colloquy
Fond of arguing
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
belligerent · pugnacious · adversarial · aggressive · hostile · strident · truculent · oppositional
Art of persuasive language
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
antithesis · mockery · ridicule · wit · eloquence · persuasion · exhortation · declamation
Biased information for influence
- dogmatismUnyielding adherence to doctrine
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
sectarianism · radicalism · extremism · jingoism · chauvinism · indoctrination · doctrinaire · ideology
treatise
Formal scholarly composition
manifesto · broadside · jeremiad · philippic · satire · lampoon · critique · screed · editorial · op-ed
denunciation
Formal public accusation
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- excoriationHarsh criticism; skin abrasion
castigation · invective · vitriol · diatribe · tirade · harangue · screed · lambasting · reproach · rebuke
divisive
Causing sharp disagreement
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- hot-buttonEmotionally charged, controversial
charged · volatile · contested · tendentious · provocative · inflammatory · sensitive · taboo · incendiary · radical
disputation
Formal argumentative exchange
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
rebuttal · refutation · counterargument · cross-examination · forensics · rhetoric · oratory · deliberation · colloquy · dialogue
disputatious
Fond of arguing
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
confrontational · belligerent · pugnacious · adversarial · aggressive · hostile · strident · truculent · oppositional · contrarian
rhetoric
Art of persuasive language
irony · antithesis · mockery · ridicule · wit · eloquence · persuasion · exhortation · declamation · bombast
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- dogmatismUnyielding adherence to doctrine
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
fanaticism · sectarianism · radicalism · extremism · jingoism · chauvinism · indoctrination · doctrinaire · ideology · demagoguery
- nonfictionbiography, autobiography, biographies, history, memoir
- written worksessay, novel, anthologies, history books, letter
- argumentsargument, arguing, disagreement, bickering, dispute
- tiradestirades, tirade, rants, rant, harangues
- commentaryeditorial, critique, op-ed, opinion, essay
- objectionsobjection, complaint, protest, refutation, demur
polemicuncontroversial
Not subject to debate
noncontroversial · inoffensive · anodyne · platitude · agreeable