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
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
The electorate has become less polarized by income in recent elections.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
And the political and social environment was less polarized than today.
—Karen Schlatter, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Where fairness is required, especially when individuals are vulnerable, consequences are high and public discourse is polarized.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Many young people feel isolated and lonely in an increasingly online and polarized world and AI companions are a quick fix, explains James Sherer, MD, a psychiatrist and deputy chief medical officer at Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
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
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
The electorate has become less polarized by income in recent elections.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
And the political and social environment was less polarized than today.
—Karen Schlatter, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Where fairness is required, especially when individuals are vulnerable, consequences are high and public discourse is polarized.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Many young people feel isolated and lonely in an increasingly online and polarized world and AI companions are a quick fix, explains James Sherer, MD, a psychiatrist and deputy chief medical officer at Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
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But Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate find themselves at a familiar impasse, bitterly divided over which approach to take.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That’s leaving defense tech firms divided over whether to hike capacity to win deals and risk profitability, or hold off and potentially miss opportunities.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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