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polemica

controversy

noun poh-LEH-mee-kah Less Common
Communication Speech

Origin: from Greek polemikos, 'warlike'

Also means

argument

Usage Note

Polemica is a public dispute or heated controversy, often in the media; the plural shifts to polemiche (the -ca ending keeps the hard sound). Italians say fare polemica ('to stir up controversy') and senza polemica ('no offence, but...') to soften a blunt remark.

Examples

"La sua proposta ha scatenato una polemica."

Natural Translation

His proposal sparked a controversy.

Literal Translation

The his proposal has unleashed a controversy.

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