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

3

: to break up into opposing factions or groupings

a campaign that polarized the electorate

4

: concentrate sense 1

recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing … 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

And in his seven-and-a-half years on the grid, Russell has become a something of polarizing figure to F1’s fractured fanbase. —Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025

Much of the report focuses on leaders behind the scenes at OpenAI, particularly CEO Sam Altman, who has become a polarizing figure within the industry. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 June 2025

To say Gareth Bale’s tenure at Real Madrid was polarizing is an understatement. —Michael Loré, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

The winner of the special election, Randy Fine, was polarizing and disliked by some Republicans, including by DeSantis. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025

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