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

dividedly

də-ˈvī-dəd-lē 

adverb

dividedness

də-ˈvī-dəd-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• disunited
• split

Example Sentences

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

During their 2022 winter meeting in Salt Lake City, a divided party voted to censure two House Republicans – Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger – for participating in a congressional investigation in the pro-Trump insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2023

From his safe political position within the state, Newsom has looked beyond California’s borders, at times to the chagrin of party leaders anxious to avoid talk of a divided party. —Scott Wilson, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023

His surprise appointment was a compromise in a divided party after his predecessor, Zhao Ziyang, was ousted over his support for the protesters. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2022

But a divided Republican Party is actually very much in Trump’s interest right now. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022

Party leaders threw their support behind Mr. Sunak as a better option to try to unify a divided party and put the chaos of the last few months — much of it caused by Mr. Johnson — behind it. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2022

That high bar is designed to narrow the field and reduce the perceptions of the Conservatives as a divided party. —The Editors, National Review, 21 Oct. 2022

Financial markets breathed a sigh of relief, but now a divided ruling party must quickly find a leader who can unify its warring factions. —Jill Lawless, ajc, 21 Oct. 2022

Hers is the third resignation by a Conservative prime minister in as many years and leaves a divided party seeking a leader who can unify its warring factions. —Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 20 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing divided

• divided highway
• divided loyalty

• divided highway
• divided loyalty

Kids Definition

divided

adjective

1

a

: separated into parts or pieces

b

: having a barrier (as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions

a divided highway

2

: disagreeing with each other

divided over the issue

Legal 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

granted in divided portions

2

: not united : failing to agree

a divided Court