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 campaigns exposed deep divides between the candidates and polarized the nation.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Over the past few years, U.S. politics has become increasingly polarized.
—Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Broad economic discontent, sharp divisions about the nation's future and polarized views of the major-party candidates mark voter attitudes nationally in ABC News preliminary exit poll results.
—ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Alex Karp and Palantir’s polarizing reputation The software company, which is named after a crystal ball in The Lord of the Rings, has faced criticism for its dark usages while working with the U.S. military.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polarize 
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Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Over the past few years, U.S. politics has become increasingly polarized.
—Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Broad economic discontent, sharp divisions about the nation's future and polarized views of the major-party candidates mark voter attitudes nationally in ABC News preliminary exit poll results.
—ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Alex Karp and Palantir’s polarizing reputation The software company, which is named after a crystal ball in The Lord of the Rings, has faced criticism for its dark usages while working with the U.S. military.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 5 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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