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
Former President Suharto was granted the title in a ceremony by Indonesia’s current leader, Prabowo Subianto – Suharto’s former son-in-law, himself a divisive figure as a former general who faced his own allegations of human rights abuses while in uniform.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Intimacy coordinators have become an industry standard, although the job has proven divisive in Hollywood.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Indonesia’s divisive former leader named national hero Indonesia’s president named the country’s late former ruler — whose time in power was characterized by corruption, rights abuses, and economic growth — a national hero.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
The death of former Vice President Dick Cheney earlier this week has evoked divisive reflections across the United States toward one of Washington's most influential figures of the century.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
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Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Intimacy coordinators have become an industry standard, although the job has proven divisive in Hollywood.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Indonesia’s divisive former leader named national hero Indonesia’s president named the country’s late former ruler — whose time in power was characterized by corruption, rights abuses, and economic growth — a national hero.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
The death of former Vice President Dick Cheney earlier this week has evoked divisive reflections across the United States toward one of Washington's most influential figures of the century.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divisive
Cite this Entry
“Divisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divisive. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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