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Synonyms

polarizing

American  
[poh-luh-rahy-zing] / ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪ zɪŋ /
especially British, polarising

adjective

  1. tending to divide people into sharply opposing factions.

    Here are some tips to keep polarizing political discourse from disrupting your workplace.

  2. causing polarization of light or similar radiation.

    If there is glare, you can use a polarizing filter on the camera to reduce or even remove it.

  3. causing magnetic or electric polarity in a body or system.

    The control system consists of a feedback loop that uses real-time polarizing electric fields as a controlling force.

noun

  1. the act, fact, or practice of dividing people into sharply opposing factions.

    If rational argument fails, he can always fall back on the techniques of mockery and polarizing.

Other Word Forms

  • nonpolarizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of polarizing

First recorded in 1720–30; polariz(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; polariz(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun sense

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.