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
Public views about the direction of the country are highly polarized and this creates a national sense of instability.
—
Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Nonstick pans have become as intensely polarizing as a piece of cookware can be in recent years, as more research has been done into the impact of some of the chemicals used to make traditional nonstick coatings.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Its handcrafted Mazzucchelli acetate frames include polarized UV400 lenses and are IPX4 water-resistant.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Views are sharply polarized, with 92% of Democratic voters and 64% of independent voters opposed to military action, and 86% of Republican voters in favor.
—Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Nonstick pans have become as intensely polarizing as a piece of cookware can be in recent years, as more research has been done into the impact of some of the chemicals used to make traditional nonstick coatings.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Its handcrafted Mazzucchelli acetate frames include polarized UV400 lenses and are IPX4 water-resistant.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Views are sharply polarized, with 92% of Democratic voters and 64% of independent voters opposed to military action, and 86% of Republican voters in favor.
—Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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The proposal was to close the Churchill Avenue crossing, which is right next to Palo Alto High School, but the community is divided on what is the best way to protect kids.—
Andrea Nakano,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In this game, a Proposer is given a sum of money and invited to choose in what proportion to split it with a Receiver.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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What is the fairest way to split the cash?—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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