German word

Polemik

Pronunciation

IPA/poˈleːmɪk/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpolemic

Example

In der Zeitung erschienen scharfe Polemiken gegen den Minister.

The newspaper published sharp polemics against the minister.

Illustration for Polemik (polemic)

More examples

In der Debatte äußerte sie keine Polemik, sondern sachliche Kritik.

In the debate, she did not engage in polemic, but instead offered objective criticism.

Core concept

A public argument sharpened into verbal attacks that try to weaken an opponent.

Common phrases

  • scharfe Polemik

    sharp polemic

  • öffentliche Polemik

    public polemic

  • eine Polemik führen

    engage in a polemic

Similar words

Kritik: An evaluation that identifies problems and indicates possible improvements.
Vorwurf: An expressed accusation about conduct regarded as wrong or objectionable.
Diskussion: A conversation for exchanging opinions and explaining reasons to one another.
Debatte: An organized exchange of opposing views among several participants.

Definition in German

Heftige, oft einseitige schriftliche oder mündliche Kritik, die darauf abzielt, einen Gegner argumentativ zu entwerten.

Word origin

German Polemik came through French polémique from Greek polemikos, meaning related to war, from polemos, war.

Usage tips

  • Polemik is feminine, with the plural Polemiken, and usually signals a harsher, more one-sided attack than neutral Kritik.

Other meanings

  • criticismnoun
  • controversynoun

Opposites

  • Konsensconsensusnoun
  • Sachlichkeitobjectivitynoun

Related words

  • polemischpolemicaladjective
  • Polemikerpolemicistnoun

Word lists with this word