as in divided
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 polarized
The technological innovations that have made possible the appearance of hypertext and hypermedia have sometimes been assessed in various research communities as either emancipatory or oppressive, and the discussion of their impacts upon communication has also been polarized.
—
Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Public-health institutions globally emerged weakened and politically polarized.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
In an era of heightened political violence, any high-profile public event is a potential target for extremists, and the country remains deeply polarized and heavily armed.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
More news to know now Can our politics get any more polarized?
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
But more than anything, Bolles is authentic in a world that is disconnected by social media and polarized by politics.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Instead, many feel manipulated, polarized, and desensitized.
—Hank Green, Time, 7 May 2026
Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Public-health institutions globally emerged weakened and politically polarized.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
In an era of heightened political violence, any high-profile public event is a potential target for extremists, and the country remains deeply polarized and heavily armed.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
More news to know now Can our politics get any more polarized?
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
But more than anything, Bolles is authentic in a world that is disconnected by social media and polarized by politics.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Instead, many feel manipulated, polarized, and desensitized.
—Hank Green, Time, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
-
When India was partitioned, Punjab was divided into two, leaving the Sikh community in economic distress with immense loss of land and wealth.—
Akash Pamarthy,
NPR,
6 June 2026
-
The complication is that the trend has raced ahead of the research, and the research itself is divided.—
Allison Palmer
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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