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polarize

[poh-luh-rahyz] / ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪz /


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.

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If this spring’s “The Drama” still managed to polarize some viewers and critics with thorny yet palatable gender dynamics, “Obsession” is its dull cousin: all tell, no show.

From Salon Jun. 4, 2026

That’s because the monarch positions himself above politics and tries to be as uncontroversial as possible—a figure to unify rather than polarize.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 30, 2026

"That new physical phenomenon is something we hadn't seen before. It enables us to manipulate dielectric material in such a way that it doesn't polarize and lose charge capability."

From Science Daily Apr. 18, 2024

I admired their desire to try to use media to show messy nuance and truths to bring people together, especially at a time when so many documentaries seem designed to polarize and demonize people.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 5, 2023

Professor Corson says of this poem: "It may be said to polarize the idea, so often presented in Browning's poetry, that doubt is a condition of the vitality of faith."

From Men and Women by Porter, Charlotte Endymion

Predictably, however, the one topic that invariably polarizes the online community is Nazi typewriters … especially those sporting the “special key.”

From Slate Mar. 16, 2024

Although his career polarizes opinions in his country despite his achievements, Álvarez is revered by the majority in Guadalajara.

From Washington Times May 2, 2023

Still, Macy’s portfolio of businesses from Bloomingdale’s to it’s off-price Backstage and wide range of prices offer a big advantage over other retailers as consumer behavior polarizes.

From Seattle Times Aug. 23, 2022

A Robin Hood figure polarizes England in “The Duke,” an ambling, sentimental account of the 1961 heist of Francisco de Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London.

From New York Times Apr. 21, 2022

In all cases, moreover, this fine blue cloud polarizes perfectly the beam which illuminates it, the direction of polarization enclosing an angle of 90° with the axis of the illuminating beam.

From Six Lectures on Light Delivered In The United States In 1872-1873 by Tyndall, John

Chiroptical methods examine how molecules interact with polarized light.

From Science Daily Jul. 20, 2026

It showed that even in a polarized America, fractured by the Vietnam War, reconciliation and healing is always possible, a message that is once again desperately needed today.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 27, 2026

It is amazing that on this polarized court, which can agree on nothing, we got a unanimous decision that day-drinking is a good thing.

From Slate Jun. 18, 2026

The interview quickly racked up over 1.1 million views in less than 24 hours and was accompanied by a flood of YouTube comments praising Owens for humanizing addiction and bringing hope to a polarized nation.

From Salon May 23, 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

Instead, it’s happening in a climate-controlled studio in Los Angeles, where a Swedish football icon skilled in third person self-regard is tangling—or, perhaps, simply busting chops—with a polarizing American soccer loudmouth.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 23, 2026

Big personalities like Rousey and Conor McGregor helped him do it: both great fighters in their own right, both polarizing entertainers capable of generating big headlines.

From Slate Jun. 14, 2026

GraniteShares CEO Will Rhind told Barron’s that the firm decided to roll out products for SpaceX bulls and bears because of expectations that this will be a polarizing stock.

From Barron's Jun. 12, 2026

The company went into the unveiling with its eyes open about the polarizing design, using the Luce to expand the definition of what makes a Ferrari unique.

From The Wall Street Journal May 26, 2026

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

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee



Vocabulary lists containing polarize


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