as in to divide
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups
A hot button issue that is sure to polarize the public.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of polarize
His legacy remains deeply polarizing, defined by wartime leadership, executive power, and partisan transformation.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The country singer had posted a photo on Instagram of the polarizing conservative activist with himself and wife Brittany, and praised Kirk in the caption.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Obviously, our times are very unstable and it’s all polarized and people have a lot of anxiety, more than ever probably.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
Even as America becomes more polarized, the workplace is one spot where people from all different faiths regularly interact, giving rise to the potential for conflict.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The country singer had posted a photo on Instagram of the polarizing conservative activist with himself and wife Brittany, and praised Kirk in the caption.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Obviously, our times are very unstable and it’s all polarized and people have a lot of anxiety, more than ever probably.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
Even as America becomes more polarized, the workplace is one spot where people from all different faiths regularly interact, giving rise to the potential for conflict.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
-
Qianlong took a page from the design of private gardens in southern China to make the layout more compact, and divided the site into four connected courtyards, two of which are currently open to the public, from south to north.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Engineers divide conventional aircraft into three main lightning zones.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The comments in the post were split between those who wanted to show care to the boyfriend and those who were skeptical of the woman's behavior.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Amazon occasionally publishes promotions that offer a serious discount on your order when splitting your payment between cash and points.—
Sarah Hostetler,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share