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
After months of subsequent trial, during which South Korean society was polarized by public rallies supporting and opposing impeachment, the South Korean Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment in April.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Bold and often polarizing, his fashion choices were some of the most influential sartorial moments for fashion.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Ecological inference estimates from Harvard Law School’s Election Law Clinic show that voting is dramatically polarized along racial lines in Tarrant County, which Stephanopoulos said would support a Voting Rights Act violation claim.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Elon Musk's polarizing political activism appears to have come at the expense of his largest companies, as Republicans expressed more favorable opinions than did Democrats, Axios' Dan Primack writes.
—Joann Muller, Axios, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
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Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Bold and often polarizing, his fashion choices were some of the most influential sartorial moments for fashion.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Ecological inference estimates from Harvard Law School’s Election Law Clinic show that voting is dramatically polarized along racial lines in Tarrant County, which Stephanopoulos said would support a Voting Rights Act violation claim.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Elon Musk's polarizing political activism appears to have come at the expense of his largest companies, as Republicans expressed more favorable opinions than did Democrats, Axios' Dan Primack writes.
—Joann Muller, Axios, 21 May 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 May. 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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