polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to become polarized

polarizability

ˌpō-lə-ˌrī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

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

Word History

Etymology

French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids 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

Medical Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize

variants also British polarise

ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized also British polarised; polarizing also British polarising

transitive verb

1

: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

intransitive verb

: to become polarized