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
More and more users were pushed to relocate until what was once a community with a solid diversity of opinion rapidly became polarized and/or overly homogenous.
—
ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
The arrests have exposed a rift in the Iranian American community, which has grown increasingly polarized in recent years, leading to online smear campaigns and at times violence.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The United States is currently very politically polarized, meaning that Americans are sharply divided against one another along partisan lines.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s split from the family and the arrest of the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein have polarized the public.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The styles have polarized lenses and feature 100% UVA/UVB protection.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
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
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
ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
The arrests have exposed a rift in the Iranian American community, which has grown increasingly polarized in recent years, leading to online smear campaigns and at times violence.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The United States is currently very politically polarized, meaning that Americans are sharply divided against one another along partisan lines.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s split from the family and the arrest of the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein have polarized the public.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The styles have polarized lenses and feature 100% UVA/UVB protection.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
-
Iran’s political spectrum has long been divided, with its leaders clashing over state policies and varying approaches to the West.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
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All risked treason for backing a cause that deeply divided the colonists and even divided Benjamin Franklin from his son.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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