divisive
Americanadjective
-
causing or tending to cause disagreement or dissension
-
archaic having the quality of distinguishing
Other Word Forms
- divisively adverb
- divisiveness noun
- nondivisive adjective
- nondivisively adverb
- semidivisive adjective
- semidivisively adverb
- undivisive adjective
- undivisively adverb
Etymology
Origin of divisive
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin dīvīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dīvīs(us) ( divisible ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )
Explanation
If you say something that is intended to make people angry with each other, your words are divisive. If you want to avoid divisive talk at your family's Thanksgiving dinner, it's probably best to avoid discussing politics. The adjective divisive is related to the verb divide, which means "to separate things or pull them apart." Divisive things divide. That's why it's best to avoid potentially divisive topics like politics if you believe you are in the company of people who have differing opinions. Don't confuse divisive with decisive, which means "able to make decisions" and "unmistakable, beyond a doubt."
Vocabulary lists containing divisive
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also starred as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's divisive new version of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, and got a Golden Globe nomination for TV drama The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
Frank Ocean gave a divisive performance Weekend 1 before dropping off the Weekend 2 lineup.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
As Robert Frost might have put it: Something there is that doesn’t love a statue of a divisive leader.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
His decision to combine his Northern Ireland job with Blackburn Rovers was divisive among supporters and media, but he was adamant taking on the job would not impact the World Cup play-off.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
His Reconstruction policies were bitterly divisive, to the point that he warred openly with Congress.
From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly
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.
