polarize
verb
po·lar·ize
ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 
polarized; polarizing
1
: to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern
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
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
The presidential visit will offer a split-screen moment as former President Donald Trump is expected to have a campaign appearance Thursday upriver from Brownsville in Eagle Pass, which for months has been ground zero for the polarizing debate over immigration and border security.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
But potentially choosing Emanuel, a polarizing figure in the Democratic party, has been panned by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and progressive groups.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
After a polarizing presidential election cycle, many Americans are fantasizing about how to leave the U.S. and escape to another country.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Lake couldn’t compete financially with Gallego and remained a polarizing figure throughout her campaign.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polarize 
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John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
But potentially choosing Emanuel, a polarizing figure in the Democratic party, has been panned by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and progressive groups.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
After a polarizing presidential election cycle, many Americans are fantasizing about how to leave the U.S. and escape to another country.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Lake couldn’t compete financially with Gallego and remained a polarizing figure throughout her campaign.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polarize
Dictionary Entries Near polarize
Cite this Entry
“Polarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarize. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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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