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Definition of polarize
polarized
;polarizing
transitive verb
1 : to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern 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 1 recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing … an amorphous, fragmented audience — Ellen Willis
intransitive verb
: to become polarized
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Examples of polarize in a Sentence
The war has polarized the nation.
The current debate polarizes along lines of class and race.
Recent Examples of polarize from the Web
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The issue of American-Indian mascots and logos has been a controversial and polarizing one across Michigan.
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The show examines what individuals did to survive polarized, political turmoil, which feels particularly relevant right now, Ewing said.
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The problem in Turkey—and elsewhere in the Middle East—is that as politicians purposefully polarize their own societies for political profit, there is a dearth of democratic institutions through which people can process their grievances.
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Ryan’s smallest victory margin in two decades came in 2012 when his vice presidential candidacy helped polarize his image and cost him crossover support from Democrats and independents.
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There aren’t many tools that can hack through the political and financial red tape required, and that thicket has become even denser in today’s increasingly partisan and polarized political climate.
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The session seeks to create discussion in how the community moves beyond the trial and how the larger community can avoid finding itself so racially polarized.
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So if things are so polarized now that people who don’t necessarily have a background of extremism can be motivated to extreme violence, that means there could be a lot more of it.
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Astronomers are currently pulling together a map of the CMB that would also reveal light that’s polarized, or aligned, like light reflected off a lake.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polarize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of polarize
French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar
POLARIZE Defined for English Language Learners
polarize
playDefinition of polarize for English Language Learners
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: to cause (people, opinions, etc.) to separate into opposing groups
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physics : to cause (something, such as light waves) to vibrate in a particular pattern
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physics : to cause (something) to have positive and negative charges : to give polarity to (something)
Medical Dictionary
polarize
Medical Definition of polarize
polarized
also Britishpolarised
;polarizing
also Britishpolarising
Learn More about polarize
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See words that rhyme with polarize Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for polarize Spanish Central: Translation of polarize Nglish: Translation of polarize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of polarize for Arabic speakers
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