polarize
verb
po·lar·ize
ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 
polarized; polarizing; polarizes
1
: to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern
lenses that polarize light waves
2
: to give physical polarity to
3
: to break up into opposing factions or groupings
a campaign that polarized the electorate
4
: concentrate sense 1
recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing … an amorphous, fragmented audience—
Ellen Willis
Ellen Willis
: to become polarized
polarized
adjective
polarized sunglasses
a polarized political climate
Examples of polarize in a Sentence
The war has polarized the nation.
The current debate polarizes along lines of class and race.
Recent Examples on the Web
Like most of Kathryn Bigelow’s recent work, A House of Dynamite is polarizing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
It could, however, be considered polarizing.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The political milieu on Taiwan is polarized, with islanders in July rejecting an unprecedented recall vote of opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT), which controls the legislature and opposes formal independence.
—Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
But as a key role player who has spent the last four years in Boston, the veteran slugger’s next deal could come to polarize some Red Sox fans.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
It could, however, be considered polarizing.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The political milieu on Taiwan is polarized, with islanders in July rejecting an unprecedented recall vote of opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT), which controls the legislature and opposes formal independence.
—Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
But as a key role player who has spent the last four years in Boston, the veteran slugger’s next deal could come to polarize some Red Sox fans.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarize. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polarize
verb
po·lar·ize
ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz
polarized; polarizing
1
: to cause to vibrate (as light waves) in a definite pattern
2
: to give physical polarity to
3
: to break up into opposing groups
4
: to become polarized
polarization
noun
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