divisive

adjective

di·​vi·​sive də-ˈvī-siv 

also

-ˈvi- 

or -ziv

: creating disunity or dissension

a divisive issue

divisive rhetoric

divisively adverb

divisiveness noun

Examples of divisive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of avoiding the divisive issue of artificial intelligence, the Polish fest, the world’s leading festival for the celebration of the art of cinematography, doubled down. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2026

Forming such an alliance could be especially divisive for Eisenkot after more than three years of war in Gaza. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

While support for capital punishment in California and nationwide has declined since historical highs in the tough-on-crime eras of the mid-1980s and 1990s, the issue remains divisive. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Sales never took off, and the Cybertruck’s divisive shape became an all-too-visible reminder of the CEO’s role in reshaping the federal government to his liking. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for divisive

• decisive
• incisive
• indecisive