Meaning & use
polarize
To divide a group of people into sharply opposing sides, often around a controversial issue.
See it in a sentence
The proposed policy polarized voters, leaving little room for middle ground.
Social media has been blamed for polarizing public opinion on many political topics.
A note on using this word
Polarize usually implies increasing division between two extremes, rather than simply causing disagreement.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To cause light waves to vibrate in a single plane, as with certain filters or lenses.
Polarized sunglasses reduce glare by filtering light that has been polarized by reflection.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “polarize”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.