as in divided
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 polarized
In an era of heightened political violence, any high-profile public event is a potential target for extremists, and the country remains deeply polarized and heavily armed.
—
Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
More news to know now Can our politics get any more polarized?
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
But more than anything, Bolles is authentic in a world that is disconnected by social media and polarized by politics.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Instead, many feel manipulated, polarized, and desensitized.
—Hank Green, Time, 7 May 2026
More and more users were pushed to relocate until what was once a community with a solid diversity of opinion rapidly became polarized and/or overly homogenous.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
The United States is currently very politically polarized, meaning that Americans are sharply divided against one another along partisan lines.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
More news to know now Can our politics get any more polarized?
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The rule had the greatest effect in Southern states, where neighboring Black and white communities remain highly polarized in partisan politics.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
But more than anything, Bolles is authentic in a world that is disconnected by social media and polarized by politics.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Instead, many feel manipulated, polarized, and desensitized.
—Hank Green, Time, 7 May 2026
More and more users were pushed to relocate until what was once a community with a solid diversity of opinion rapidly became polarized and/or overly homogenous.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
The United States is currently very politically polarized, meaning that Americans are sharply divided against one another along partisan lines.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized
divided
Verb
-
The authority was created in 1993, 15 years after the statewide passage of Proposition 13, which radically changed how base property tax revenues were divided.—
Mercury News Editorial,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
-
The clip has since circulated widely on social media, where reactions have been sharply divided.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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