polarize

verb

ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz How to pronounce polarize (audio)
Definition of polarizenext
as in to divide
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups A hot button issue that is sure to polarize the public.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of polarize Her death is set to reinvigorate the protest movement and further polarize Spain ahead of a national election next month when the housing issue will be central. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 Arguably Jaguar’s most important car to date, the Type 01 promises to be polarizing. — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026 The group is notoriously polarizing among indie-heads — headlines calling the band a psyop for manufacturing virality only further fanned the flames — but Geese inarguably has the cool factor that’s brought rock back on the map in recent years. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The deal has been polarizing for the creative community, with many boldface names going public in their opposition to the merger. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
  1. divide
  2. split
Verb
  • The park is divided into 13 sections or access points, each with different amenities, attractions and camping rules.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For Rodan-Benzaquen, one of the greatest dangers is that the demonstrations reflect a society increasingly divided into competing political realities.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of divide
Verb
  • The airport’s revenue share would drop from 60% to 55%, with the five airlines splitting the remaining 45% of revenue.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Denmark's defense intelligence service specifically warned Russia could use such tactics to split the NATO alliance.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of split

Browse Nearby Words

polarizations
polarize
polarized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All