POLARIZED Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

polarized

verb

past tense of polarize

as in divided

to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups A hot button issue that is sure to polarize the public.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of polarized The country is deeply polarized, increasingly castigated by the rest of the world, and confronting a resurgence of antisemitism. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 While many Latin American nations remain deeply polarized, there is no denying a right-wing resurgence. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Lebanon was polarized between pro-West groups and others that supported Palestinian factions and Egyptian leader Gamal Abdul-Nasser. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Bag designs were more polarized, with oversize silhouettes and revivals of heritage styles juxtaposed to fantasy minaudière designs, sculptural clutches and embellished mini bags displaying brands’ craftsmanship and doubling as objects of art. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 The awards buzz may prove tough to come by at this point, given that Digger was hit with a C+ CinemaScore from audiences, landing as one of the lowest grades for Cruise’s career, and has polarized critics. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026 The uncertainty of this moment feels more fractured and more polarized, driven by policy shifts, funding instability, technological disruption and widening inequities that disproportionately affect low-income communities of color. — Philip Weinberg, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Part memoir, part how-to guide for heated political conversations, it’s perfectly timed for what could be one of the most expensive and most polarized midterm elections in modern history. — Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 Critics have been polarized by the museum, with many in the film trade singing its praises while others in the art world have panned it. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polarized

divided

Verb

The race is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's nearly unbroken 17-year rule, which had left Israelis bitterly divided on a host of issues even before the deadliest attack in the country's history.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
The race was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s nearly unbroken 17-year rule, which had left Israelis bitterly divided on a host of issues even before the deadliest attack in the country’s history.

— Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of divided

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polarize

polarized

polarizes

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“Polarized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polarized. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of polarized

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