Synonyms

polarized

American

[poh-luh-rahyzd] / ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪzd /

adjective

of or relating to a medium that exhibits polarization.
(of an electric plug or outlet) designed so that the plug and outlet fit together in only one way.

Other Word Forms

nonpolarized adjective
unpolarized adjective

Etymology

Origin of polarized

First recorded in 1920–25; polarize + -ed ²

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.

Strong interactions between the layers lead to very different transmission behaviors for left- and right-circularly polarized light under "normal incidence," or polarized light that hits perpendicular to the surface.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

There’s a similar problem with respect to statistics on racially polarized voting, and those numbers also change every election.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

During his 14 years as senator, Rubio was generally well-liked by his colleagues, who unanimously confirmed him as secretary of state -- a rarity in such polarized times.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

That will require work on many fronts, including addressing the problems of our political institutions, the wealth gap, and our polarized society.

From Slate • Jan. 2, 2026

Reflected light like the glare off the sea was polarized; it might be that the shadow particles, when they behaved like waves as light did, were capable of being polarized, too.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023