adjective

polarized

POH-luh-ryzd

Polarized (adjective) means Split into two sharply opposed groups, with little agreement or middle ground left between them. Example: “The country is more polarized now than at any point in living memory.”

adjective

Split into two sharply opposed groups, with little agreement or middle ground left between them.

"The country is more polarized now than at any point in living memory."

"A polarized jury deadlocked after four days."

Of light or lenses: filtered so that the light waves vibrate in only one plane, cutting reflected glare.

"Polarized lenses make it much easier to see fish under the surface."

verb

Past tense and past participle of polarize: to divide people into opposed camps, or to make light or charge vibrate or separate in one direction.

"The proposal polarized the committee within minutes."

How to Use Polarized

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSplit into two opposite sides, or filtered to cut glare.

When to use it

Neutral. British English usually writes polarised.

Memory tip

A topic that causes the split is divisive; the people left on either side of it are polarized.

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Easily confused with

polarised divisive → controversial →

Common pairings

deeply polarized polarized debate polarized electorate polarized sunglasses polarized lenses

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The country is more _____ now than at any point in living memory.

Etymology

From polarize, formed on polar, via Latin polaris from Greek polos meaning 'pole' or 'axis'.

Origin: Latin and Greek

Synonyms

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divided split entrenched factional

Antonyms

united unanimous moderate

Related Words

part united control leave break broken separate slow

Rhymes for polarized

sized prized baptized utilized notarized civilized idealized organized oversized localized motorized mobilized

See all rhymes for polarized →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between polarized and divisive?

Divisive describes a cause — an issue, a leader, a decision that drives people apart. Polarized describes the result — a group already sorted into two hostile camps. A divisive policy leaves a polarized public.

Are polarized sunglasses worth it?

They cut horizontal glare from water, snow and wet roads, so they genuinely help driving, fishing and skiing. The trade-off is that they can make some LCD screens, including car dashboards and phone displays, look dark or patchy at certain angles.

Is it polarized or polarised?

Both are correct: polarized is the standard American spelling and polarised the usual British one. Pick one and use it consistently through a piece of writing.

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