divisive

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

/ dɪˈvaɪ sɪv, -ˈvɪs ɪv /

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See synonyms for: divisive / divisiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

forming or expressing division or distribution.

creating dissension or discord.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of divisive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM divisive

di·vi·sive·ly, adverbdi·vi·sive·ness, nounnon·di·vi·sive, adjectivenon·di·vi·sive·ly, adverb

sem·i·di·vi·sive, adjectivesem·i·di·vi·sive·ly, adverbun·di·vi·sive, adjectiveun·di·vi·sive·ly, adverb

Words nearby divisive

divisionism, division of labor, division of labour, division ring, division sign, divisive, divisiveness, divisor, divo, divorce, divorce court

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use divisive in a sentence

Democrats have their agenda to pass, and Republicans don’t want to have to dwell on anything potentially divisive within their party.
What Does Impeachment And The Division Over Marjorie Taylor Greene And Liz Cheney Tell Us About The GOP?|Sarah Frostenson (sarah.frostenson@abc.com)|February 3, 2021|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.
Can Astronaut Thinking Heal America at Last?|Leslie dela Vega|January 28, 2021|Ozy
We don’t feel this way because of disagreements over policy, though, even when it comes to the most divisive questions.
Our Radicalized Republic|Maggie Koerth (maggie.koerth-baker@fivethirtyeight.com)|January 25, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
He had hoped it would be a sign that, after a divisive campaign, the president would be able to unify the country.
Inauguration Day, in 2017 and 2021||January 20, 2021|Washington Post

This last year has been so divisive, and so much has happened to pull people apart.
After a year of pain and strife, volunteers see MLK Day as a way to come together|Joe Heim|January 18, 2021|Washington Post
Johnson knew that the proposals he was going to send to the Hill would be divisive.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Democrats were able to sideline Kucinich and avoid a divisive impeachment battle.
Repubs Should Take It From Kucinich: Impeachment Isn’t Worth It|Eleanor Clift|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Past winning artists generally were either complete outsiders (McQueen) or divisive figures in the art world.
Has the Turner Prize Gone Soft?|David Levesley|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But getting the bill implemented proved to be highly divisive.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Oct 6-12, 2014|William Boot|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These will be essential to dealing with this incredibly divisive issue.
What the GOP Will Do If It Wins Congress|Stuart Stevens|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
New and divisive questions which lead only to faction are propounded so that the voters are confused.
Humanly Speaking|Samuel McChord Crothers
Only the last two of these had any lasting importance as divisive issues.
An American Religious Movement|Winfred Ernest Douglas
Such a conception of the Deity proves divisive rather than unifying.
Religion and the War|Various
Their experiences have no sharp edges, no abrupt precipices, no divisive gulfs, no defined beginnings and endings.
Murder Point|Coningsby Dawson
The divisive force is International Communism and the power that it controls.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches|Various

British Dictionary definitions for divisive

divisive

/ (dɪˈvaɪsɪv) /

adjective

causing or tending to cause disagreement or dissension

archaic having the quality of distinguishing

Derived forms of divisive

divisively, adverbdivisiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

divisive

Origin of divisive

OTHER WORDS FROM divisive

Words nearby divisive

Words related to divisive

How to use divisive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for divisive

Derived forms of divisive