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 result caps a deeply divisive election cycle in a country that has gone through nine presidents in the past decade.
—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
Like this 250th-birthday celebration, the Bicentennial arrived at a divisive moment in American politics, two years after Richard Nixon had, in his own private scheme of maneuver, brought the nation right up to the edge of a constitutional crisis.
—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
30 June 2026
Already existing as a divisive pick, skinny jeans are taking a back seat this summer.
—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Some issues, like immigration or student loans, are too divisive to unite Trinity Moravian Church.
—
Noam Levey,
NPR,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for divisive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
Like this 250th-birthday celebration, the Bicentennial arrived at a divisive moment in American politics, two years after Richard Nixon had, in his own private scheme of maneuver, brought the nation right up to the edge of a constitutional crisis.
—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
30 June 2026
Already existing as a divisive pick, skinny jeans are taking a back seat this summer.
—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Some issues, like immigration or student loans, are too divisive to unite Trinity Moravian Church.
—
Noam Levey,
NPR,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for divisive
Cite this Entry
“Divisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divisive. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
