as in to divide
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 polarize
Its handcrafted Mazzucchelli acetate frames include polarized UV400 lenses and are IPX4 water-resistant.
—
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
There may not be a team embodying the discrepancy between record and reality more than the New Orleans Pelicans, home base for the ever-so polarizing talent that is Zion Williamson, plus a hodgepodge of rangy, versatile athletes at all five positions.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Views are sharply polarized, with 92% of Democratic voters and 64% of independent voters opposed to military action, and 86% of Republican voters in favor.
—Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
Knight is a central and polarizing figure in hip-hop’s 50-year history.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
There may not be a team embodying the discrepancy between record and reality more than the New Orleans Pelicans, home base for the ever-so polarizing talent that is Zion Williamson, plus a hodgepodge of rangy, versatile athletes at all five positions.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Views are sharply polarized, with 92% of Democratic voters and 64% of independent voters opposed to military action, and 86% of Republican voters in favor.
—Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
Knight is a central and polarizing figure in hip-hop’s 50-year history.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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The site is being divided into several parcels, one destined for a Yokohama-like building with an attached hotel, another for housing, a third for shipping perishable freight.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
1 Apr. 2026
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Polls show the nation is sharply divided over the issue of American citizenship for newborn children of unauthorized immigrants.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Guardians answered with another three runs in the bottom half of the inning to hand the Cubs a 6-5 loss to split Sunday’s doubleheader.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
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The housing project will be split into two phases, starting with Declan Research Park, according to Flournoy’s website.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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