polarize

[ poh-luh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

polarized, polarizing.

1. to cause polarization in.
2. to divide into sharply opposing factions, political groups, etc.:

   The controversy has polarized voters into proabortion and antiabortion groups.

3. to give polarity to.

verb (used without object)

polarized, polarizing.

1. to become polarized.

polarize

/ ˈpəʊləˌraɪz /

verb

1. to acquire or cause to acquire polarity
2. to acquire or cause to acquire polarization

   to polarize light

3. to cause people to adopt extreme opposing positions

   to polarize opinion

polarize

/ pō′lə-rīz′ /

1. To separate or accumulate positive and negative electric charges in two distinct regions. Polarized objects have an electric dipole moment and will undergo torque when placed in an external electric field.
2. To magnetize a substance so that it has the properties of a magnetic dipole, such as having a north and south pole.
3. To cause the electrical and magnetic fields associated with electromagnetic waves, especially light, to vibrate in a particular direction or path. The transverse electric and magnetic waves always vibrate at right angles to each other, but in ordinary unpolarized light sources, the direction of polarization of each wave is randomly distributed. Light can be polarized by reflection, and by passing through certain materials.
4. See more at polarization

Derived Forms

• ˈpolarˌizable, adjective

Other Word Forms

• po·lar·iz·a·ble [poh-l, uh, -, rahy, -z, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• po·lar·iz·a·bil·i·ty [poh-l, uh, -rahy-z, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• de·po·lar·ize verb (used with object) depolarized depolarizing
• non·po·lar·iz·a·ble adjective
• re·po·lar·ize verb (used with object) repolarized repolarizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of polarize¹

First recorded in 1805–15; polar + -ize

Example Sentences

Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift — two women just as polarizing as Lively — both masterfully made their points by winning lawsuits with awarded damages of just one dollar.

From Salon

As the country has become more polarized, there’s been criticism that journalism is now more about activism than news gathering.

From Los Angeles Times

Ultimately, people tend to be more polarized when they don't interact in a direct personal face-to-face way with people who have different views than they do.

From Salon

That nail-biter, like this one, uses violence to argue for nonviolence while dodging any polarizing specifics about why our country is bleeding.

From Los Angeles Times

In the U.S., that mistrust has become deeply polarized, with a 22-point gap in trust in innovation between Democrats and Republicans.

From Salon

Related Words

• part
• separate