as in to divide
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups
A hot button issue that is sure to polarize the public.
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Recent Examples of polarize
The media industry has also rapidly consolidated around a handful of big corporate players — giving Carr more influence — as the national political culture has become more fractured and polarized.
—
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Russia and Saudi Arabia, in particular, have engaged in online disinformation campaigns with bots and trolls to polarize the public and spread antiscience disinformation.
—Michael E. Mann, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
His message was overdue and validating to some but polarizing and hurtful to others.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The flourishes of humor at Williams and Holmes’ house, such as a mannequin of Puente out front, can sometimes be polarizing for people given Puente’s crimes.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Russia and Saudi Arabia, in particular, have engaged in online disinformation campaigns with bots and trolls to polarize the public and spread antiscience disinformation.
—Michael E. Mann, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
His message was overdue and validating to some but polarizing and hurtful to others.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The flourishes of humor at Williams and Holmes’ house, such as a mannequin of Puente out front, can sometimes be polarizing for people given Puente’s crimes.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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Carriage 3 was conceived and crafted in-house, cleverly using a sliding Victorian rail carriage door to divide the kitchen from the living and sleeping compartments, which are accessed via beautiful (and functional) fold-away steps.—
Chloe Frost-Smith,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Viewers can also expect health emergencies, explosive confrontations and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide the family even further.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Notably, the offer was split, with one direction centering on soft tailoring, with modal and other fluid fabrics shown for blazers and trousers.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
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The English-language movie boasts one of Henry Golding’s finest performances, some critics said, though the final results split reviewers.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
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