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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polarize
Miami is still somewhat polarizing.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
But Pahlavi remains polarizing.
—Roxana Saberi, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Others remain at risk; the fate of his still-polarizing Boston Government Service Center is exceptionally unclear.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026
The mom-of-two kept her accessories minimal, finishing off her look with a pair of polarizing black peep-toe pumps.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
But Pahlavi remains polarizing.
—Roxana Saberi, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Others remain at risk; the fate of his still-polarizing Boston Government Service Center is exceptionally unclear.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026
The mom-of-two kept her accessories minimal, finishing off her look with a pair of polarizing black peep-toe pumps.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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On January 24, there will be a mandatory payout meaning no matter how many winning tickets there are, the entire pool will be divided amongst the winning tickets.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The need for reinvention comes about not because the world is divided into men and women, old and young, but rather because people are diverse and come to the table with differing needs, wants, and perspectives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their relationship hasn't been without bumps — the pair briefly split in 2015 — but the couple has managed to weather the ups and downs.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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For a splurge, split a stateroom in The Haven by Norwegian, a ship-within-a-ship concept offering luxury accommodations and 24-hour butler service.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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