Polarize
verb
To divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
The issue has polarized the nation.
Often appears as...
- polarize opinion
- polarize society
verb
In physics, to restrict the vibrations of (a transverse wave, especially light) wholly or partially to one direction.
Sunlight is polarized when it is reflected from a surface.
Often appears as...
- polarize light
- polarize wave
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
In chemistry, to cause (a substance) to acquire polarity.
To form the batteries, the electrodes are polarized.
Often appears as...
- polarize substance
- polarize electrode
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
The issue has polarized the nation.
Often appears as...
- polarize opinion
- polarize society
verb
In physics, to restrict the vibrations of (a transverse wave, especially light) wholly or partially to one direction.
Sunlight is polarized when it is reflected from a surface.
Often appears as...
- polarize light
- polarize wave
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
In chemistry, to cause (a substance) to acquire polarity.
To form the batteries, the electrodes are polarized.
Often appears as...
- polarize substance
- polarize electrode
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Charge
When 'polarize' is used, it suggests strong emotions and possible conflict between groups.
The politician's speech helped to polarize public opinion even further.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
'Polarize' can be neutral, referring to the emergence of clear, distinct positions.
Her innovative proposal served to polarize the committee into proponents and skeptics.
Pro Tip 3/3Active Process
The verb 'polarize' involves active division, often influenced by an event or person.
The debate last night seemed to polarize voters even more.
Compare with
alienatedivideestrangedseparatesplit
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Video examples
Dear Facebook, this is...
often incentivizing the most inflammatory and polarizing voices, to the point where finding common ground no longer feels possible. And despite a growing chorus of people crying out for the platforms to change, it's clear they will not do enough on their own. So governments must define the responsibility
Video examples
Why is the US...
limiting congressional terms, or even repealing the Second Amendment. While many enjoy strong support, their likelihood of passing is slim. Americans today are the most politically polarized since the Civil War, making it nearly impossible to reach a broad consensus.
Video examples
The tyranny of merit PIPE...
Here's a question we should all be What went wrong? Not just with the pandemic but with our civic life. What brought us to this polarized, rancorous political moment? In recent decades, the divide between winners and losers has been deepening,
Video examples
Why political...
of money in politics but it's really these historical forces that have created our polarized situation now having said all that what in the world is the way out of it well there are three possible rays of hope that I can offer you tonight that
Video examples
From Farm to Table PIPE Nat...
that had humor to it that had a culture to it that had life to it well then there was this food safety when we got to food safety there was a lot of anger everybody was at the time and it still are radically polarized by the whole
Video examples
Aspen Baker: A better...
has left little room for anything beyond pro-life and pro-choice. It's political and polarizing. But as much as abortion is hotly debated, it's still rare for us, whether as fellow women or even just as fellow people,
Video examples
5 Reasons Ants Are...
it moves on again and checks the sun and the pattern of polarized light it can measure the distance between stops and it always takes a bearing on the sun at every one of them when it eventually finds food a quick
Video examples
Why Having Fun Is the...
we simply are present. There's no other way for it to happen. Fun also unites us. We live in a really polarized world, and as we all know, there's a lot of very serious problems. But when we have fun with people,
Video examples
The revolutionary power...
these sentiments are further amplified, polarized, and they travel around the world quite fast. Ours is the age of anxiety, anger, distrust, resentment and, I think, lots of fear. But here's the
Video examples
We're building a...
are maliciously and deliberately trying to make the country or the world more polarized and encourage extremism. I read the many well-intentioned statements
Video examples
Dear Facebook, this is...
often incentivizing the most inflammatory and polarizing voices, to the point where finding common ground no longer feels possible. And despite a growing chorus of people crying out for the platforms to change, it's clear they will not do enough on their own. So governments must define the responsibility
Video examples
Why is the US...
limiting congressional terms, or even repealing the Second Amendment. While many enjoy strong support, their likelihood of passing is slim. Americans today are the most politically polarized since the Civil War, making it nearly impossible to reach a broad consensus.
Video examples
The tyranny of merit PIPE...
Here's a question we should all be What went wrong? Not just with the pandemic but with our civic life. What brought us to this polarized, rancorous political moment? In recent decades, the divide between winners and losers has been deepening,
Video examples
Why political...
of money in politics but it's really these historical forces that have created our polarized situation now having said all that what in the world is the way out of it well there are three possible rays of hope that I can offer you tonight that
Video examples
From Farm to Table PIPE Nat...
that had humor to it that had a culture to it that had life to it well then there was this food safety when we got to food safety there was a lot of anger everybody was at the time and it still are radically polarized by the whole
Video examples
Aspen Baker: A better...
has left little room for anything beyond pro-life and pro-choice. It's political and polarizing. But as much as abortion is hotly debated, it's still rare for us, whether as fellow women or even just as fellow people,
Video examples
5 Reasons Ants Are...
it moves on again and checks the sun and the pattern of polarized light it can measure the distance between stops and it always takes a bearing on the sun at every one of them when it eventually finds food a quick
Video examples
Why Having Fun Is the...
we simply are present. There's no other way for it to happen. Fun also unites us. We live in a really polarized world, and as we all know, there's a lot of very serious problems. But when we have fun with people,
Video examples
The revolutionary power...
these sentiments are further amplified, polarized, and they travel around the world quite fast. Ours is the age of anxiety, anger, distrust, resentment and, I think, lots of fear. But here's the
Video examples
We're building a...
are maliciously and deliberately trying to make the country or the world more polarized and encourage extremism. I read the many well-intentioned statements
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Steven Wilson
English Musician
One thing I have found over years is that if you change direction, the initial reaction tends to be very polarized, but as the music gradually filters through and fans start engaging with it on its own terms rather than comparing it to what went before, the appreciation and acceptance of it increases.
Quote examples
Brooke Baldwin
American Journalist
In the most polarized and passionate, the most angry and aggressive news environment in recent memory, my job as a journalist requires me - often - to push back in live interviews against comments that are unfair, untrue, or leave me thinking, 'Is this seriously happening right now?
Quote examples
J. D. Vance
American Author
It's not easy, especially in our politically polarized world, to recognize both the structural and the cultural barriers that so many poor kids face. But I think that if you don't recognize both, you risk being heartless or condescending, and often both.
Quote examples
Mauro Ranallo
Canadian Entertainer
I have a lot of critics, and that's fine. I think it's better to be polarizing than to be vanilla. I also think people can't question the passion and sincerity that I bring because I truly am the luckiest guy in the world.
Quote examples
Alan Lightman
American Physicist
We live in a highly polarized society. We need to try to understand each other in respectful ways. To that end, I believe that we should make room for both spiritual atheists and thinking believers.
Quote examples
Jeff Zucker
American Businessman
In an increasingly polarized world, it's hard to know whom to trust. CNN will be the only news channel that doesn't take a side.
Quote examples
John Avlon
Writer
The two parties are still more polarized than ever before and the rise of partisan media is an important reason for it.
Quote examples
Charlie Sykes
American
It has almost become a cliche that we are a polarized country, but the reality runs deeper.
Quote examples
Dana Loesch
American Activist
Palin may be a polarizing figure, but she's more than just a 'political personality.
Quote examples
James Ransone
American Actor
I can usually play polarizing characters.
Quote examples
Steven Wilson
English Musician
One thing I have found over years is that if you change direction, the initial reaction tends to be very polarized, but as the music gradually filters through and fans start engaging with it on its own terms rather than comparing it to what went before, the appreciation and acceptance of it increases.
Quote examples
Brooke Baldwin
American Journalist
In the most polarized and passionate, the most angry and aggressive news environment in recent memory, my job as a journalist requires me - often - to push back in live interviews against comments that are unfair, untrue, or leave me thinking, 'Is this seriously happening right now?
Quote examples
J. D. Vance
American Author
It's not easy, especially in our politically polarized world, to recognize both the structural and the cultural barriers that so many poor kids face. But I think that if you don't recognize both, you risk being heartless or condescending, and often both.
Quote examples
Mauro Ranallo
Canadian Entertainer
I have a lot of critics, and that's fine. I think it's better to be polarizing than to be vanilla. I also think people can't question the passion and sincerity that I bring because I truly am the luckiest guy in the world.
Quote examples
Alan Lightman
American Physicist
We live in a highly polarized society. We need to try to understand each other in respectful ways. To that end, I believe that we should make room for both spiritual atheists and thinking believers.
Quote examples
Jeff Zucker
American Businessman
In an increasingly polarized world, it's hard to know whom to trust. CNN will be the only news channel that doesn't take a side.
Quote examples
John Avlon
Writer
The two parties are still more polarized than ever before and the rise of partisan media is an important reason for it.
Quote examples
Charlie Sykes
American
It has almost become a cliche that we are a polarized country, but the reality runs deeper.
Quote examples
Dana Loesch
American Activist
Palin may be a polarizing figure, but she's more than just a 'political personality.
Quote examples
James Ransone
American Actor
I can usually play polarizing characters.
Example 1 of 10
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