polarize
verb
po·lar·ize
ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 
polarized; polarizing; polarizes
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
Ellen Willis
: to become polarized
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
Audience reviews were polarized, but some people really loved it.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
Religious freedom is often dismissed as a buzzword of conservative advocacy, but it should be taken seriously as an issue of immediate humanitarian concern that bypasses polarizing debates.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
First, since a closely divided and polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, presidents rely more on executive orders to get substantive things done.
—Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
In a part of the state where voting is racially polarized, the tribal nations argued, the redistricting lines drawn by the state lawmakers reduce the opportunity for Native American voters to elect candidates of their choice.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
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K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
Religious freedom is often dismissed as a buzzword of conservative advocacy, but it should be taken seriously as an issue of immediate humanitarian concern that bypasses polarizing debates.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
First, since a closely divided and polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, presidents rely more on executive orders to get substantive things done.
—Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
In a part of the state where voting is racially polarized, the tribal nations argued, the redistricting lines drawn by the state lawmakers reduce the opportunity for Native American voters to elect candidates of their choice.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarize. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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