as in divided
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 polarized
While the in-arena plan does not include dancers, the promo has polarized the industry, with some arguing that the celebration is distasteful.
—
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Though support is mostly polarized along party lines, a small but notable slice of Republicans is unhappy with the decision to launch a war in the Middle East.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Mar. 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
However, as politics became more polarized, the law failed to deliver on its promise.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
The appearance polarized some fans.
—Jim Beaugez, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Internal decision-making can become polarized, funding relationships strained, and exhibitions evaluated through ideological lenses rather than scholarly merit.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
There’s never a fight in the audience, and there’s nothing polarized at a Willie Nelson show.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
Public confidence in the Fed is weak and deeply polarized.
—Annelise Riles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Though support is mostly polarized along party lines, a small but notable slice of Republicans is unhappy with the decision to launch a war in the Middle East.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Mar. 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
However, as politics became more polarized, the law failed to deliver on its promise.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
The appearance polarized some fans.
—Jim Beaugez, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Internal decision-making can become polarized, funding relationships strained, and exhibitions evaluated through ideological lenses rather than scholarly merit.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
There’s never a fight in the audience, and there’s nothing polarized at a Willie Nelson show.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
Public confidence in the Fed is weak and deeply polarized.
—Annelise Riles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
-
There is no clear successor to Iran's Islamic leadership, with opposition groups divided and considered to have no large bases of support within the country.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In North Carolina and nationwide, reaction to the attack quickly divided along party lines.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
