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
His message was overdue and validating to some but polarizing and hurtful to others.
—
Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The flourishes of humor at Williams and Holmes’ house, such as a mannequin of Puente out front, can sometimes be polarizing for people given Puente’s crimes.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Even at age 33, approaching the twilight of his career, Ali was electromagnetic, drawing the crowd to its feet and polarizing its constituents all at once.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The flourishes of humor at Williams and Holmes’ house, such as a mannequin of Puente out front, can sometimes be polarizing for people given Puente’s crimes.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Even at age 33, approaching the twilight of his career, Ali was electromagnetic, drawing the crowd to its feet and polarizing its constituents all at once.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarizing
dividing
Verb
-
Unless Labour, the Greens, and Your Party come to an electoral understanding, their candidates will have to compete with one another, and with other parties, over every seat, dividing the left-leaning vote and potentially allowing Reform or the Conservatives to come out on top.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
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This industry has become exceptional at dividing us and pitting us against each other.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarizing. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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