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
Advertisement Public anger over the killing and the police response spilled out into violent protests, further polarizing debate around immigration and policing in Britain.
—
Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 10 June 2026
That decision had as much to do as anything in the 1850s with completely polarizing American politics, to use our term today, and, indeed, energizing the Republican Party of the late 1850s and winning, indeed, the presidency by 1860.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Now, as communities across Kansas grapple with whether to embrace or reject polarizing tech projects, the issue is emerging as a key point of division among candidates of both parties vying to become the state’s next chief executive.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
The music was always entrancing, if polarizing.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 10 June 2026
That decision had as much to do as anything in the 1850s with completely polarizing American politics, to use our term today, and, indeed, energizing the Republican Party of the late 1850s and winning, indeed, the presidency by 1860.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Now, as communities across Kansas grapple with whether to embrace or reject polarizing tech projects, the issue is emerging as a key point of division among candidates of both parties vying to become the state’s next chief executive.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
The music was always entrancing, if polarizing.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarizing
dividing
Verb
-
Three massive, tree-like sculptures made of pale wood rise to the ceiling, dividing the room from the inviting bar.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
What are the issues dividing the two sides?—
David McHugh,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarizing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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