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

The war has made continued support for Israel a divisive issue among Democrats and a key one for some voters. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026

The former first daughter refreshed several Y2K trends with distressed Daisy Dukes and divisive sandals. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026

Robert Pattinson’s performance as To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen in director Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime was widely praised, though the film itself was more divisive. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Shorter seasons, constrained budgets, fragmented audiences, an industry wary of grand and divisive political statements yet eager for high craft — all of it results in television that manages risk instead of confronting it. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for divisive

• decisive
• incisive
• indecisive