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 movie is set to be similarly polarizing.
—
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Allar is polarizing, because the production hasn’t matched the physical attributes.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
In such a moment, Spencer says, viewers put more faith in individual anchors, influencers and creators than in news brands, and polarizing perspectives drive more passion from audiences.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Even polarizing lenses which can dramatically reduce glare, does so at the expense of cutting down on the light passing through the lens.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Allar is polarizing, because the production hasn’t matched the physical attributes.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
In such a moment, Spencer says, viewers put more faith in individual anchors, influencers and creators than in news brands, and polarizing perspectives drive more passion from audiences.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Even polarizing lenses which can dramatically reduce glare, does so at the expense of cutting down on the light passing through the lens.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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Every single section can be divided into a packing cube.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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The case has also divided the agriculture industry.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Six years of countersuits, appeals and legal wrangling followed, with suggestions that the only way to resolve the matter might be to split up the property, Texas Monthly reported.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
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District lines fracture communities that share common needs and concerns — splitting two more counties and 14 more cities than our current map.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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