divisive

[ dih-vahy-siv, -vis-iv ]

adjective

1. forming or expressing division or distribution.
2. creating dissension or discord.

divisive

/ dɪˈvaɪsɪv /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause disagreement or dissension
2. archaic.
   having the quality of distinguishing

Derived Forms

• diˈvisiveness, noun
• diˈvisively, adverb

Other Words From

• di·vi·sive·ly adverb
• di·vi·sive·ness noun
• non·di·vi·sive adjective
• non·di·vi·sive·ly adverb
• sem·i·di·vi·sive adjective
• sem·i·di·vi·sive·ly adverb
• un·di·vi·sive adjective
• un·di·vi·sive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of divisive¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin dīvīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dīvīs(us) ( divisible ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Example Sentences

Democrats have their agenda to pass, and Republicans don’t want to have to dwell on anything potentially divisive within their party.

From FiveThirtyEight

Today, the Harvard International Negotiation Program is exploring how to use the Overview Effect to mitigate the “tribes effect,” a divisive mindset that fosters conflict.

From Ozy

We don’t feel this way because of disagreements over policy, though, even when it comes to the most divisive questions.

From FiveThirtyEight

He had hoped it would be a sign that, after a divisive campaign, the president would be able to unify the country.

From Washington Post

This last year has been so divisive, and so much has happened to pull people apart.

From Washington Post

Johnson knew that the proposals he was going to send to the Hill would be divisive.

From The Daily Beast

The Democrats were able to sideline Kucinich and avoid a divisive impeachment battle.

From The Daily Beast

Past winning artists generally were either complete outsiders (McQueen) or divisive figures in the art world.

From The Daily Beast

But getting the bill implemented proved to be highly divisive.

From The Daily Beast

These will be essential to dealing with this incredibly divisive issue.

From The Daily Beast

New and divisive questions which lead only to faction are propounded so that the voters are confused.

From Project Gutenberg

Only the last two of these had any lasting importance as divisive issues.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a conception of the Deity proves divisive rather than unifying.

From Project Gutenberg

Their experiences have no sharp edges, no abrupt precipices, no divisive gulfs, no defined beginnings and endings.

From Project Gutenberg

The divisive force is International Communism and the power that it controls.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disruptive