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
Digital billboards have been a polarizing topic in San Jose for decades, with the city once banning them.
—
Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
The polarizing Talbott’s underdeveloped ground game was exposed against Barcelos.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
And in his seven-and-a-half years on the grid, Russell has become a something of polarizing figure to F1’s fractured fanbase.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Much of the report focuses on leaders behind the scenes at OpenAI, particularly CEO Sam Altman, who has become a polarizing figure within the industry.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
The polarizing Talbott’s underdeveloped ground game was exposed against Barcelos.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
And in his seven-and-a-half years on the grid, Russell has become a something of polarizing figure to F1’s fractured fanbase.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Much of the report focuses on leaders behind the scenes at OpenAI, particularly CEO Sam Altman, who has become a polarizing figure within the industry.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
30 June 2025
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The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Plaid’s bank partnerships avoided years of licensing; TSMC’s $20B chip R&D was split with Apple/NVIDIA.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The total Sovereign Grant remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive year at $108.8 million, split between $65.3 million for core funding and $43.5 million for the ongoing Buckingham Palace refurbishment project.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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