Polemicise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To involve oneself in vigorous debates that emphasize challenging differing viewpoints through passionate and often confrontational arguments
2. To actively take part in disputes that focus on strongly defending a viewpoint through vigorous and contentious discussion
3. To express one’s opinions through heated debate aimed at refuting opposing ideas with forceful reasoning

Etymology: "Polemicise" is a plain formation: the adjective "polemic" with the verbal suffix "-ise" attached, meaning to take part in or engage in polemics. "Polemic" itself comes from the Greek "polemikos," meaning "warlike" or "hostile," from "polemos," war. The Greek root carries the image of combat, which explains why a debate becomes a polemic when it is fought with force rather than reasoned out. The suffix "-ise" (also spelled "-ize" in American English) turns the noun or adjective into a verb meaning to act in the manner of, or to make into, the base word, so to polemicise is to conduct argument as if it were a battle.

Synonyms: argue, debate, dispute

Antonyms: agree, concur, harmonize