Polarizing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that causes people to divide into two distinct groups with opposing views. Often utilized in discussions about politics, social issues, or public figures.

• The candidate's polarizing comments on immigration sparked heated debates
• The movie's polarizing storyline left audiences either loving or hating it

Describes something that causes people to be divided and conflicts to arise, often leading to tension and lack of unity. Frequently seen in political, social, and cultural contexts.

• The president's divisive policies have led to increased unrest
• The issue of gun control is one of the most divisive topics in the country

Appropriate for describing topics, actions, or opinions that provoke strong disagreement and debate. Commonly used in the context of news, media, and societal discussions.

• The new law passed by the government is highly controversial
• Her controversial artwork provoked mixed reactions from the public

Less common and more informal compared to the other terms. Often refers to something that causes a group or entity to break apart. Can indicate both physical and metaphorical splitting.

• The disagreement over the project led to a splitting of the team
• Their differing opinions on the matter ended up splitting the committee

Used to describe something that causes people to have very different opinions, often leading to strong disagreements.

• The new political policy has had a polarizing effect on the community

Commonly used to describe splitting something into parts, especially when referring to groups or opinions.

• The issue continued to divide the team, with no clear solution in sight

Used when something is being divided into two or more parts, often suggesting equal or near-equal parts and can also refer to conflicts or disagreements.

• The debate caused a significant split within the board members

Typically used to describe physical or metaphorical distancing or partitioning of entities.

• They decided to separate the project into smaller tasks to make it more manageable