as in dividing
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 polarizing
Allar is polarizing, because the production hasn’t matched the physical attributes.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
In such a moment, Spencer says, viewers put more faith in individual anchors, influencers and creators than in news brands, and polarizing perspectives drive more passion from audiences.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Even polarizing lenses which can dramatically reduce glare, does so at the expense of cutting down on the light passing through the lens.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Many factors contributed to the polarizing prime minister’s loss, including an economy persistently among Europe’s weakest and a fatigue with the ruling party’s demagoguery, often deployed to cover up its own alleged corruption.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
In such a moment, Spencer says, viewers put more faith in individual anchors, influencers and creators than in news brands, and polarizing perspectives drive more passion from audiences.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Even polarizing lenses which can dramatically reduce glare, does so at the expense of cutting down on the light passing through the lens.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Many factors contributed to the polarizing prime minister’s loss, including an economy persistently among Europe’s weakest and a fatigue with the ruling party’s demagoguery, often deployed to cover up its own alleged corruption.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarizing
dividing
Verb
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The University of Massachusetts poll, fielded among 1,000 Americans, found 74% believe there are more things uniting them than dividing them.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Michelle Boudreau Design mixed a white dividing wall with hedges that don't block the view of palm trees in this desert backyard.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarizing. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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