divisive
Americanadjective
-
causing or tending to cause disagreement or dissension
-
archaic having the quality of distinguishing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of divisive
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin dīvīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dīvīs(us) ( see divisible) + -īvus adjective suffix ( see -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
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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Hamilton
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President Obama's Farewell Address
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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.
Divisive or not, it’s unclear whether Nadler’s faith-based appeal matters enough to draw votes in the new district, which is heavily Jewish.
From Washington Post • Jul. 19, 2022
Divisive pop video 'did what it set out to do'
From BBC • Nov. 18, 2021
Divisive in its highly un-kosher, un-vegan, unapologetically porky nature, lard makes, in my humble opinion, the most deliciously flaky Hong Kong egg custard tarts.
From Salon • Sep. 1, 2021
Divisive statements, trolling, provocation – you simply couldn’t see these.
From The Guardian • Sep. 27, 2020
Divisive nature of the creeds The formation of creeds tends to create division and to perpetuate division.
From The Last Reformation by Smith, F. G. (Frederick George)
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.
