POLEMICS Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

polemics

noun

plural of polemic

as in diatribes

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polemics

Noun

The two agreed that Springsteen's penchant in recent years for going on mid-concert political diatribes is wearing a little thin.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Design After endless diatribes about the quirky lines of Ferrari’s all-electric Luce, the marque’s enthusiasts will find that the Amalfi Spider’s long-hood, raked-screen, and open-top lines are comfortingly familiar and unquestionably gorgeous.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of diatribes

Noun

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher went on one of his bad-boy tirades during a performance at the 1996 show by swearing, wandering the stage and making lewd gestures during his brother Noel’s guitar solo.

— Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
This tradition viewed progressive nationalism as using promises of reform and demagogic tirades against scapegoats abroad to distract from their own corruption and irresponsibility.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of tirades

Noun

Hope Florida Foundation got a new board and filed tax returns, but criticisms of its efficacy still dog its leaders.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
After Anna Faris responded to Mom co-creator Chuck Lorre‘s professional criticisms, Jaime Pressly has chimed in.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticisms

Noun

The movie is an epic series of harrumphs and harangues, propelled from room to room—and, in time, out into the world beyond the estate—by a spirit of impudent absurdism and corrosive cynicism which seems to emanate from Digger himself.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Stephen Adly Guirgis, a New York playwright who specializes in urban pressure-cooker dramas, has a gift for writing subway strap-hanger harangues.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of harangues

Noun

Links with nonprofit group The recent castigations from progressive Democrats were driven in part by the Opportunity Caucus’s ties to One Main Street.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Like legions of dreamers before him, McGuirk started on film and TV sets as a PA, an often thankless job where random castigations from members of the cast or crew can be par for the course.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025

Definition of castigations

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

polemicists

polemics

polemist

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Polemics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polemics. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of polemics

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes