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
Meanwhile, in the wake of the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, politics has become increasingly polarized, with debates about free speech raging.
—
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
How polarized is the electorate?
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Wisconsin Supreme Court races are officially nonpartisan but have become increasingly polarized and expensive in recent years.
—Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
And, as media has become polarized, many fewer places are doing that.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
If the light is polarized in a radially-symmetric fashion, that’s an example of an E-mode (electric) polarization; if the light is polarized in either a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, that’s an example of a B-mode (magnetic) polarization.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 24 Sep. 2025
This lightwear pair at Amazon is on sale for $12—a serious deal considering they’re polarized to ensure UV protection, feature a coating that helps protect against water on rainy days, and have a one-piece nosepad that fits snugly on your face without digging in like some of the metal varieties.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2025
But both further polarized a nation already deeply divided by political ideology and touched off a movement to punish those whose views did not fall in line with the prevailing sentiment of the moment.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Across most advanced democracies, electorates are increasingly polarized, resulting in dwindling support for the political center and the delegitimization of moderate parties and governments.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
How polarized is the electorate?
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Wisconsin Supreme Court races are officially nonpartisan but have become increasingly polarized and expensive in recent years.
—Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
And, as media has become polarized, many fewer places are doing that.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
If the light is polarized in a radially-symmetric fashion, that’s an example of an E-mode (electric) polarization; if the light is polarized in either a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, that’s an example of a B-mode (magnetic) polarization.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 24 Sep. 2025
This lightwear pair at Amazon is on sale for $12—a serious deal considering they’re polarized to ensure UV protection, feature a coating that helps protect against water on rainy days, and have a one-piece nosepad that fits snugly on your face without digging in like some of the metal varieties.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2025
But both further polarized a nation already deeply divided by political ideology and touched off a movement to punish those whose views did not fall in line with the prevailing sentiment of the moment.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Across most advanced democracies, electorates are increasingly polarized, resulting in dwindling support for the political center and the delegitimization of moderate parties and governments.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
-
The pair divided the classwork, which included discussions and exercises.—
Janine Di Giovanni,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Taken together, the day offered a rare snapshot of the monarchy’s past and present — divided in distance and duty, yet momentarily aligned in purpose.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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