polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing; polarizes

transitive verb

1

: to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern

lenses that polarize light waves

2

: to give physical polarity to

exposure to an electric field can polarize a piece of iron

sunglasses with polarized lenses

3

: to break up into opposing factions or groups

a campaign that polarized the electorate

4

: concentrate sense 1

… re-create a cohesive rock community by polarizing what has become an amorphous, fragmented audience.

—Ellen Willis

intransitive verb

: to become polarized

polarizability

ˌpō-lə-ˌrī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

polarized adjective

polarized sunglasses

a polarized political climate

Examples of polarize in a Sentence

The war has polarized the nation.

The current debate polarizes along lines of class and race.

Recent Examples on the Web

The retreat from equality that began under the Reagan administration was dangerously polarizing the nation by 1984. —Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026

But its domestic political scene remains deeply polarized and fractious, with presidents on both sides of the political divide often facing calls for impeachment, criminal investigations and prosecution. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

Next up, Kostadinov is fusing the brand’s high-tech performance running engineering with an ever-polarizing split-toe tabi construction. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026

Greene gained notoriety as a staunch Trump supporter in Congress and was often under fire for polarizing comments and conspiratorial beliefs. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for polarize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing

1

: to cause to vibrate (as light waves) in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

3

: to break up into opposing groups

4

: to become polarized

polarization noun

Medical Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize

variants also British polarise

ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized also British polarised; polarizing also British polarising

transitive verb

1

: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

intransitive verb

: to become polarized