Polarizing
mediumPOH-luh-ry-zing
adjective
Definition
Dividing into sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Examples
“The politician's polarizing rhetoric divided the nation.”
“Social media has a polarizing effect on political discourse.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Polarizing is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "divisive" or "contentious" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "unifying".
Related GRE Words
divisive
Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people
contentious
Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial
heretic
A person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted
fragmented
Broken or separated into distinct parts; lacking unity
pugnacious
Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight
quarrelsome
Given to or characterized by quarreling
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