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
Confidence in the economy is highly polarized along political lines.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some called his methods confrontational, or accused him of polarizing campuses.
—Gabriel Nadales, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
The trial, which comes ahead of the 2026 general election, has polarized Brazil.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
As far as polarizing Big Brother houseguests are concerned, Rachel Reilly is probably at the top of the list.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some called his methods confrontational, or accused him of polarizing campuses.
—Gabriel Nadales, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
The trial, which comes ahead of the 2026 general election, has polarized Brazil.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
As far as polarizing Big Brother houseguests are concerned, Rachel Reilly is probably at the top of the list.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarize
Verb
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While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The conflict between Israel and Palestine was dividing friends, sparking tensions, and fueling rising acts of hostility.—
Rchin Bari,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Others view it as a brazen attempt to split up Kansas City’s minority voters.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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That resulted in a hung parliament split between the National Rally, the left-wing New Popular Front, and Macron’s Renaissance bloc.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarize. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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