polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing; polarizes

transitive verb

1

: to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern

lenses that polarize light waves

2

: to give physical polarity to

exposure to an electric field can polarize a piece of iron

sunglasses with polarized lenses

3

: to break up into opposing factions or groups

a campaign that polarized the electorate

4

: concentrate sense 1

… re-create a cohesive rock community by polarizing what has become an amorphous, fragmented audience.

—Ellen Willis

intransitive verb

: to become polarized

polarizability

ˌpō-lə-ˌrī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

polarized adjective

polarized sunglasses

a polarized political climate

Examples of polarize in a Sentence

The war has polarized the nation.

The current debate polarizes along lines of class and race.

Recent Examples on the Web

Arguably Jaguar’s most important car to date, the Type 01 promises to be polarizing. — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026

The awards buzz may prove tough to come by at this point, given that Digger was hit with a C+ CinemaScore from audiences, landing as one of the lowest grades for Cruise’s career, and has polarized critics. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

The deal has been polarizing for the creative community, with many boldface names going public in their opposition to the merger. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

This scattering also polarizes the light; the amount of polarization seen depends on the incoming light’s angle with respect to the observer. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for polarize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing

1

: to cause to vibrate (as light waves) in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

3

: to break up into opposing groups

4

: to become polarized

polarization noun

Medical Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize

variants also British polarise

ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized also British polarised; polarizing also British polarising

transitive verb

1

: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

intransitive verb

: to become polarized