polarize

especially British, po·lar·ise

[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

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

Other Word Forms

• polarizable adjective
• polarizability noun
• depolarize verb (used with object)
• nonpolarizable adjective
• repolarize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of polarize¹

First recorded in 1805–15; polar + -ize

Example Sentences

In a political climate where every cultural figure can become instantly polarizing, Oasis’ reunion was the closest thing the U.K. got to a national consensus.

From Los Angeles Times

Onscreen text might indicate that they were polarizing figures, but the films itself never engage with the scandals.

From Los Angeles Times

Bari Weiss, the polarizing editor and founder of conservative outlet The Free Press, may soon have one of the most powerful perches in American media.

From Salon

It might feel as if everything is falling into place for the redshirt sophomore transfer who became the nation’s most polarizing college football player last spring in the wake of his abrupt departure from Tennessee.

From Los Angeles Times

A counterpoint to that is we’re living in a time when the comedy world is dominated by polarizing performers who are mainstreaming bigotry.

From Salon

Related Words

• part 
• separate