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
What aid does remain will face greater scrutiny from a conservative grassroots that’s strongly polarized against foreign assistance.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
One such storyline currently going around is who is favored to select polarizing quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
For the polarizing defenseman, that has felt like three days at some times, and three years at others.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Tate, 38, is a former professional kickboxer who’s attracted more than 10 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, pushing his polarizing brand of far-right toxic masculinity.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
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Dylan Matthews, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
One such storyline currently going around is who is favored to select polarizing quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
For the polarizing defenseman, that has felt like three days at some times, and three years at others.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Tate, 38, is a former professional kickboxer who’s attracted more than 10 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, pushing his polarizing brand of far-right toxic masculinity.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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