agonistical
Definition
- Adjective:
- Striving to overcome in argument: Characterized by or involving a strong competitive effort to win or prevail in a debate, discussion, or intellectual contest. It implies a combative or contentious approach to argumentation.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The philosopher's agonistical style made his lectures more like intellectual battles than calm discussions.
- Her agonistical nature in meetings often stifles collaborative brainstorming, as she treats every suggestion as a point to be defeated.
Advanced Usage
- In academic or rhetorical contexts: The term is often used to describe a method of discourse that is fundamentally oppositional and competitive, rather than cooperative or seeking consensus.
- The debate was not a search for truth but a purely agonistical exercise in scoring points against the opponent.
Variants and Related Words
- Agonistic (adj): This is the more common variant, sharing the same core meaning of being combative or argumentative. "Agonistical" is a less frequent form.
- His agonistic rhetoric polarized the audience.
- Agon (n): In ancient Greek, this referred to a contest or struggle, often in athletic, dramatic, or rhetorical contexts. This is the root from which "agonistic" and "agonistical" are derived.
Synonyms
- Argumentative: Given to arguing; disputatious.
- Combative: Eager or ready to fight or argue.
- Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
- Polemical: Relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech.
Antonyms
- Conciliatory: Intended or likely to placate or pacify.
- Cooperative: Involving mutual assistance in working toward a common goal.
- Collaborative: Produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Agonistic pluralism: A political theory that sees democracy as a space for legitimate and productive conflict between differing positions, rather than a search for consensus.
- The theorist advocated for an agonistic pluralism that accepts deep-seated conflict as a permanent feature of political life.
Adjective
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striving to overcome in argument
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a dialectical and agonistic approach
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