If something polarizes people or if something polarizes, two separate groups are formed with opposite opinions or positions. Missile deployment did much to further polarize opinion in Britain. [VERB noun] As the car rental industry polarizes, business will go to the bigger companies. [VERB]
1. a. To induce polarization in or impart polarity to. b. To design so as to permit light only of a certain polarization: Are these sunglasses polarized? 2. To cause to divide into two conflicting or opposing groups: The issue of slavery polarized the nation.
Polarized describes something divided into opposing groups or opinions, often with strong contrasting views. It can also refer to light waves aligned in a specific direction.
to (cause to) be divided into sharply opposing factions or groups: [~ + object] The issue has polarized voters. [no object] The country polarized around that issue.
Verb polarize (third-person singular simple present polarizes, present participle polarizing, simple past and past participle polarized) (transitive, US) To cause to have a polarization.
To polarize is to divide. Something that's been polarized has been split into two sides that are so different, it seems as though they're from opposite ends of the earth — like the North Pole and the South Pole.
