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
In Williams, plaintiffs alleged that those district lines diluted minority voting strength in violation of the state constitutional requirement to protect minority voters in communities where minority voters can’t elect their preferred candidates when voting is highly polarized.
—
Jeffrey M. Wice, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Being polarized too far on either side feels foolhardy; while an aggressive ban might be too much for how nuanced and new this technology is, that doesn’t mean DSPs should throw their hands up and let culture-appropriating refuse pollute popular playlists.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
There’s never a fight in the audience, and there’s nothing polarized at a Willie Nelson show.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
The steamy trailer, featuring a soundtrack by Charli xcx, has swooning fans and literature purists polarized.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Even in an era when careers seem more competitive and polarized than ever, climbing to the top can feel like a solo sport.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Edelman’s annual barometer has polarized commentators, with skeptics arguing that a corporate PR advisor has an interest in talking up the levels of trust in business.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Her white opera gloves, which complemented the black Dior gown, polarized the internet.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
But our fragmented media landscape and the dominance of social media have left us polarized and divided.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Jeffrey M. Wice, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Being polarized too far on either side feels foolhardy; while an aggressive ban might be too much for how nuanced and new this technology is, that doesn’t mean DSPs should throw their hands up and let culture-appropriating refuse pollute popular playlists.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
There’s never a fight in the audience, and there’s nothing polarized at a Willie Nelson show.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
The steamy trailer, featuring a soundtrack by Charli xcx, has swooning fans and literature purists polarized.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Even in an era when careers seem more competitive and polarized than ever, climbing to the top can feel like a solo sport.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Edelman’s annual barometer has polarized commentators, with skeptics arguing that a corporate PR advisor has an interest in talking up the levels of trust in business.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Her white opera gloves, which complemented the black Dior gown, polarized the internet.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
But our fragmented media landscape and the dominance of social media have left us polarized and divided.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
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Best Score was divided between musicals and dramas, and some craft categories between black-and-white and color, so there was no way a film could have been nominated for everything.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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The company spent three days last week building the final version of the structure, which is divided into sections on rails so it can be assembled and taken apart without doing so over the rink itself.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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