polemize
/'pɔlimaiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To engage in a controversy; to argue or debate strongly, especially in writing: "Polemize" means to participate in a dispute or argument, often of a scholarly, political, or religious nature, typically through written works.
Usage
- General Use: The verb "polemize" is used to describe the act of engaging in a polemic—a strong verbal or written attack on, or dispute with, someone over a doctrine, opinion, or policy. It implies a contentious, argumentative style.
- Formality: This is a formal and somewhat rare verb, most commonly found in academic, historical, or intellectual contexts.
Examples
- Verb:
- The two historians polemized for years over the interpretation of the ancient text.
- He is known to polemize vigorously against any form of censorship in his essays.
- Theologians often polemize about doctrinal differences.
Advanced Usage
- "To polemize against/for something": To argue strongly against or in favor of a particular idea.
- The philosopher spent his career polemizing against metaphysical idealism.
- The activist polemized for radical economic reforms in her pamphlets.
Variants and Related Words
- Polemic (noun): A strong verbal or written argument, often controversial.
- His latest book is a fierce polemic against modern technology.
- Polemical (adjective): Relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech.
- The article was praised for its polemical force.
- Polemicist (noun): A person who engages in polemics; a controversialist.
- She established her reputation as a sharp polemicist.
Synonyms
- Argue: To exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated way.
- Debate: To discuss a topic formally, often in a public setting.
- Dispute: To argue about something; to question the truth or validity of.
- Wrangle: To have a long, complicated dispute or argument.
Antonyms
- Agree: To have the same opinion.
- Concur: To be of the same opinion; to agree.
- Harmonize: To bring into consonance or accord.
Related Phrases
- Engage in polemics: This phrase is more common than the verb "polemize" itself and carries the same meaning.
- The scholars continued to engage in polemics long after the conference ended.
Verb
- engage in a controversy
- The two historians polemicized for years