divisive

/di'vaiziv/

Thân thiện

The new policy proved divisive among the community members.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing disagreement or hostility between people: Describes something that tends to create division, disunity, or conflict within a group, often by emphasizing differences of opinion, belief, or interest.
   • Promoting dissent or separation: Characterizing a person, action, or issue that encourages people to take opposing sides, leading to a split in a previously unified group.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The politician's speech on immigration was highly divisive. (It caused strong disagreement and split public opinion.)
  • Introducing such a divisive topic at the family dinner ruined the atmosphere. (The topic created conflict and disunity among family members.)
  • He is known as a divisive figure in the industry. (His presence or actions tend to create factions and disagreement.)

Advanced Usage

• "deeply divisive": An intensifier used to describe something that causes very strong and profound disagreement.
  • The court's ruling proved to be a deeply divisive issue for the nation.
• "inherently divisive": Suggests that the nature of something is fundamentally prone to causing division.
  • Some argue that identity politics is inherently divisive.

Variants and Related Words

• Divide (verb): To separate or cause to separate into parts or groups, often in disagreement.
  • The issue divided the community.
• Division (noun): The action of separating something into parts, or a serious disagreement between groups.
  • The debate caused deep division within the party.

Synonyms

• Polarizing: Causing people to divide into two opposing groups with contrasting opinions.
• Discordant: Causing a lack of harmony or agreement.
• Contentious: Likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Antonyms

• Unifying: Tending to bring people together in agreement.
• Harmonious: Free from disagreement or dissent.
• Consensus-building: Aiming to achieve general agreement.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "A divisive force": A person or thing that actively creates division.
  • The new policy acted as a divisive force within the organization.
• "To sow divisive seeds": To take actions that are likely to cause future division or conflict (a metaphorical idiom).
  • The leader's rhetoric was accused of sowing divisive seeds among the population.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dissentious
• factious