divided
adjective
di·vid·ed
də-ˈvī-dəd 
1
a
: separated into parts or pieces
b
of a leaf
: cut into distinct parts by incisions extending to the base or to the midrib
c
: having a barrier (such as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions
a divided highway
2
a
: disagreeing with each other : disunited
b
: directed or moved toward conflicting interests, states, or objects
divided loyalties
3
: separated by distance
… familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided.—
James Joyce
James JoyceExamples of divided in a Sentence
Experts are sharply divided on the issue.
The issue has created a deeply divided nation.
She feels like she only gets her mother's divided attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
His attention is very much divided.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 11 June 2026
It won’t be known until November whether the next governor will be working with a divided Legislature, but several of Klobuchar’s proposals thus far have pulled ideas from existing bipartisan efforts at the Legislature.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026
The question voters ultimately face is not just who aligns with their values — but who can most effectively translate those values into action in a divided and exceedingly dysfunctional political environment.
—Joel Rubin, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Strategists at Natixis found that, since 2000, the S & P 500 has performed better on average when one party is in control of government, bucking a long-term trend of stocks doing well with divided government.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for divided
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John Ruwitch, NPR, 11 June 2026
It won’t be known until November whether the next governor will be working with a divided Legislature, but several of Klobuchar’s proposals thus far have pulled ideas from existing bipartisan efforts at the Legislature.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026
The question voters ultimately face is not just who aligns with their values — but who can most effectively translate those values into action in a divided and exceedingly dysfunctional political environment.
—Joel Rubin, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Strategists at Natixis found that, since 2000, the S & P 500 has performed better on average when one party is in control of government, bucking a long-term trend of stocks doing well with divided government.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for divided
Cite this Entry
“Divided.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divided. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
divided
adjective
di·vid·ed
1
a
: separated into parts, classes, or portions
divided coverage
divided custody
b
in the civil law of Louisiana
: separately owned, possessed, or held : no longer held in indivision
owner of a divided part or of the entire estate following partition—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Codegranted in divided portions
2
: not united : failing to agree
a divided Court
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