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 retreat from equality that began under the Reagan administration was dangerously polarizing the nation by 1984.
—
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
But its domestic political scene remains deeply polarized and fractious, with presidents on both sides of the political divide often facing calls for impeachment, criminal investigations and prosecution.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Next up, Kostadinov is fusing the brand’s high-tech performance running engineering with an ever-polarizing split-toe tabi construction.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Greene gained notoriety as a staunch Trump supporter in Congress and was often under fire for polarizing comments and conspiratorial beliefs.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
But its domestic political scene remains deeply polarized and fractious, with presidents on both sides of the political divide often facing calls for impeachment, criminal investigations and prosecution.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Next up, Kostadinov is fusing the brand’s high-tech performance running engineering with an ever-polarizing split-toe tabi construction.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Greene gained notoriety as a staunch Trump supporter in Congress and was often under fire for polarizing comments and conspiratorial beliefs.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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Density can be measured by dividing mass by volume.—
Heather Barker,
Space.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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In Costa’s vision, the city was to be divided into several sectors.—
Sophia La Banca,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Proposition 50 also split the sprawling district held by Kiley, a Republican from Rocklin, into six pieces, leaving the Northern California congressman and frequent Newsom critic with few good options.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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However, in the aftermath of their legendary Woodstock performance, Country Joe and the Fish split up, and McDonald embarked on his own solo career beginning with 1969’s Thinking of Woody Guthrie, a collection of songs by the folk legend.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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