1. a dispute about words or their meanings; an argument over the use of words
Usage: formal; literary

Examples

• The debate devolved into a logomachy over the precise definition of ‘freedom.’
• Rather than addressing the real issues, they engaged in logomachy about terminology.
• The committee meeting became a logomachy when members couldn’t agree on what ‘urgent’ meant.
• Philosophers often fall into logomachy when discussing abstract concepts.
• The logomachy over the contract’s wording delayed the agreement for weeks.
• Critics accused the politicians of logomachy while avoiding substantive policy discussion.