dialectical
adjective
di·a·lec·ti·cal
ˌdī-ə-ˈlek-ti-kəl 
variants
or less commonly dialectic
1
philosophy
a
: of, relating to, or in accordance with dialectic
dialectical method
dialectical reasoning
b
: practicing, devoted to, or employing dialectic
a dialectical philosopher
2
linguistics
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a dialect
Examples of dialectical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are typically considered the gold standard.
—
Angela Haupt, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
Photograph from Reuters / Courtesy Sundance Institute There are personal documentaries in which filmmakers are themselves the subject of their exploration, and other, more dialectical ones, in which a filmmaker’s journalistic explorations turn out to be inherently personal.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
An appreciation of the theater as a dialectical art form that puts perspectives into collision.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Richardson weaves a dialectical story of conflict between American leaders who want power over others, portraying American democracy not as a triumphant accomplishment but as, at best, a work in progress.
—Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dialectical 
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Angela Haupt, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
Photograph from Reuters / Courtesy Sundance Institute There are personal documentaries in which filmmakers are themselves the subject of their exploration, and other, more dialectical ones, in which a filmmaker’s journalistic explorations turn out to be inherently personal.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
An appreciation of the theater as a dialectical art form that puts perspectives into collision.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Richardson weaves a dialectical story of conflict between American leaders who want power over others, portraying American democracy not as a triumphant accomplishment but as, at best, a work in progress.
—Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dialectical
Dictionary Entries Near dialectical
Cite this Entry
“Dialectical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialectical. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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