polemical.

Strongly argumentative and intended to attack or challenge a position on a disputed subject.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a polemical essay
• a polemical tone

On the page

The polemical introduction obscured the careful evidence that followed it.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Comparative more polemical; superlative most polemical when comparison is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: analysis, contrast. Commonness: moderately common.