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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Recent Examples of polarize
The United States is currently very politically polarized, meaning that Americans are sharply divided against one another along partisan lines.
—
James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s split from the family and the arrest of the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein have polarized the public.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The Baltimore Ravens’ polarizing general manager had just ordered a chile chorizo omelette at a breakfast spot near the team’s training facility Thursday morning.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Diego Pavia, the polarizing former Vanderbilt quarterback who was runner-up in Heisman voting last season, has reportedly found a home in the NFL after going undrafted this weekend.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s split from the family and the arrest of the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein have polarized the public.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The Baltimore Ravens’ polarizing general manager had just ordered a chile chorizo omelette at a breakfast spot near the team’s training facility Thursday morning.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Diego Pavia, the polarizing former Vanderbilt quarterback who was runner-up in Heisman voting last season, has reportedly found a home in the NFL after going undrafted this weekend.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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The space is divided into six distinct environments, including a Dolby Atmos lounge for immersive, spatial audio, a gallery area for talks and panels, and a 'listening bar' where staff offer their own personal recommendations.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 May 2026
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Colbert grilled the former president on the topic dividing the city, baseball.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Six years of countersuits, appeals and legal wrangling followed, with suggestions that the only way to resolve the matter might be to split up the property, Texas Monthly reported.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
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District lines fracture communities that share common needs and concerns — splitting two more counties and 14 more cities than our current map.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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