polarize

American  

[poh-luh-rahyz] / ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪz /

especially British, polarise

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.

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verb (used without object)

polarized, polarizing

1. to become polarized.

polarize British  

/ 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

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polarize Scientific  

/ pō′lə-rīz′ /

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of polarize

First recorded in 1805–15; polar + -ize

Example Sentences

Talarico, 36, has drawn interest from party figures who believe a less polarizing nominee could perform better with swing voters in a large, diverse state.

From Barron's

In a time when politics often cloud global conversations and create division, the Winter Olympics provide a rare space where national pride feels unifying rather than polarizing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Valerie Termini, acting director of the department, said the decision was “overdue” at the meeting, while acknowledging that mountain lions are polarizing animals.

From Los Angeles Times

In today’s highly polarized world, consumers see locally produced TV news as the most trusted, least biased, and most relevant to their lives, according to recent studies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even Palantir — a company known for its polarizing high stock valuation — hasn’t been able to escape the broader software selloff that’s rippled across the market with renewed force this year.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• part
• separate