as in to divide
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups
A hot button issue that is sure to polarize the public.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polarize
Raisins can be a polarizing cookie component, and certain folks have nut allergies.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
How polarized is the electorate?
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Lazar is a conservative candidate in the technically nonpartisan race, though elections to the high court have become increasingly polarized.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Creed’s newest masterwork blends smoky agarwood oil distilled from 80-year-old trees with ambergris and saffron, producing a scent that tempers oud’s somewhat polarizing character with a sense of restraint.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
How polarized is the electorate?
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Lazar is a conservative candidate in the technically nonpartisan race, though elections to the high court have become increasingly polarized.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Creed’s newest masterwork blends smoky agarwood oil distilled from 80-year-old trees with ambergris and saffron, producing a scent that tempers oud’s somewhat polarizing character with a sense of restraint.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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Discussions have been held about dividing Madrid’s football operations from their business operations and letting speculators invest in the latter — although how (or if) that would work in practice is a moot point.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Most herbaceous perennials that spread or clump can flourish when divided every few years, such as hostas, coneflowers, daylilies, phlox, and bee balm.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a rare example of agency for a beneficiary community, 21 emerging Indigenous leaders recently crafted selection criteria, evaluated applicants and picked two dozen finalists to split a pool of $720,000.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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The dying relative, Mitch explained, was willing to take the fall for Scott’s killing; then someone else would turn him in, claim the reward money, and split it with them.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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