divided
adjective
di·vid·ed
də-ˈvī-dəd 
1
a
: separated into parts or pieces
b
of a leaf
: cut into distinct parts by incisions extending to the base or to the midrib
c
: having a barrier (such as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions
a divided highway
2
a
: disagreeing with each other : disunited
b
: directed or moved toward conflicting interests, states, or objects
divided loyalties
3
: separated by distance
familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided—
James Joyce
James JoyceExamples of divided in a Sentence
Experts are sharply divided on the issue.
The issue has created a deeply divided nation.
She feels like she only gets her mother's divided attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
Good News Despite all the dire messaging from social media and other outlets about how divided Democrats and Republicans are on civic education, there is less division than meets the eye.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
But recent revelations say the divided response to the last album cycle read too much into the bubbly early-aughts nostalgia on its aesthetic surface, not recognizing Solar’s pursuit of joy, smallness, and sated inaccessibility as coping strategies.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
An appeals court froze that decision in a divided ruling, however.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 June 2025
First, since a closely divided and polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, presidents rely more on executive orders to get substantive things done.
—Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for divided
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Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
But recent revelations say the divided response to the last album cycle read too much into the bubbly early-aughts nostalgia on its aesthetic surface, not recognizing Solar’s pursuit of joy, smallness, and sated inaccessibility as coping strategies.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
An appeals court froze that decision in a divided ruling, however.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 June 2025
First, since a closely divided and polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, presidents rely more on executive orders to get substantive things done.
—Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for divided
Cite this Entry
“Divided.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divided. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
divided
adjective
di·vid·ed
1
a
: separated into parts, classes, or portions
divided coverage
divided custody
b
in the civil law of Louisiana
: separately owned, possessed, or held : no longer held in indivision
owner of a divided part or of the entire estate following partition—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Codegranted in divided portions
2
: not united : failing to agree
a divided Court
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