polarizing

American  

[poh-luh-rahy-zing] / ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪ zɪŋ /

especially British, polarising

adjective

1. tending to divide people into sharply opposing factions.

   Here are some tips to keep polarizing political discourse from disrupting your workplace.

2. causing polarization of light or similar radiation.

   If there is glare, you can use a polarizing filter on the camera to reduce or even remove it.

3. causing magnetic or electric polarity in a body or system.

   The control system consists of a feedback loop that uses real-time polarizing electric fields as a controlling force.

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noun

1. the act, fact, or practice of dividing people into sharply opposing factions.

   If rational argument fails, he can always fall back on the techniques of mockery and polarizing.

Other Word Forms

• nonpolarizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of polarizing

First recorded in 1720–30; polariz(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; polariz(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

They wore shiny, textured gray-blue suits and wide ties and sported long sideburns and slightly too large brown- tinted polarizing glasses.

From Literature

“It’s one of our most polarizing scents, actually, but it’s also one of my favorite ones that Debbie has made,” Lawrence says.

From Los Angeles Times

Since the beginning, the Brutalist design has been polarizing — Angelenos have cheered or jeered the concrete vision.

From Los Angeles Times

Booker has long been a visible and sometimes polarizing figure in national politics.

From Salon

The latest novel by Lionel Shriver, literary darling turned literary-world scourge, doesn’t come out until mid-February, and it’s already polarizing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• part
• separate