polarizing
adjective
po·lar·iz·ing
ˈpō-lə-ˌrī-ziŋ 
: causing polarization: such as
a
: causing electromagnetic radiation and especially light waves to vibrate in a definite pattern
a camera lens equipped with a polarizing filter [=a filter that controls the passage of polarized light in order to reduce reflections, glare, etc.]
sunglasses with polarizing lenses
b
: causing a physical object (such as a particle or crystal) to enter a state of polarization
… applying a polarizing electric field to ferroelectric crystals …—
David Ritchie
David Ritchie
c
: causing strong disagreement between opposing factions or groups
a polarizing political issue
As polarizing a figure as there is in the league, he is deified in L.A. and often detested elsewhere, yet not even his detractors can deny his talent or accomplishments.—Chris Ballard
Chris BallardOur media's attention often spins around unnuanced, polarizing opinions and hasty, inflammatory statements.—Heather Lanier
Heather LanierExamples of polarizing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The incident to which Robyn was referring happened in 2018, years before Musk — who is South African — would become embedded in American politics through his association with an even more polarizing figure: President Donald Trump.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
That period also coincided with Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk playing a polarizing role in the Trump administration.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Hamnet Months ago, who would have guessed that the most polarizing film in the Oscar race would be … an adaptation of a novel about Shakespeare’s wife?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Roughly a dozen years after the polarizing debut of Google Glass, the search giant is officially getting back into the smart glasses game—but this time, the focus isn’t on putting a smartphone on your face.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
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Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
That period also coincided with Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk playing a polarizing role in the Trump administration.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Hamnet Months ago, who would have guessed that the most polarizing film in the Oscar race would be … an adaptation of a novel about Shakespeare’s wife?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Roughly a dozen years after the polarizing debut of Google Glass, the search giant is officially getting back into the smart glasses game—but this time, the focus isn’t on putting a smartphone on your face.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Cite this Entry
“Polarizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarizing. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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