polarize
Verb (transitive):
- To cause something to have or concentrate on two completely opposite positions, opinions, or sets of beliefs: To divide people or ideas into two opposing groups.
- To cause (light or other electromagnetic radiation) to vibrate in a specific pattern: In physics, to restrict the vibrations of a wave, especially light, to a single direction or plane.
Verb (intransitive):
- To become divided into two opposing groups or sets of contrasting positions: To acquire polarity in a conflict or situation.
Verb (transitive - Social/Political context): The controversial issue has polarized the community into two angry factions.The politician's extreme rhetoric tends to polarize public opinion rather than build consensus.
Verb (transitive - Physics context): Sunglasses with special lenses polarize light, reducing glare from reflective surfaces.A filter can be used to polarize the waves, allowing only those vibrating horizontally to pass through.
Verb (intransitive): The debate is causing the country to polarize along ideological lines.As the election approaches, voters seem to polarize around the two main candidates.
"To polarize around an issue": For opposing groups to form based on a specific topic. The discussion quickly polarized around the question of government intervention.
"A polarizing figure/issue": A person or topic that causes strong division into opposing groups. (Note: This is a common adjectival use derived from the verb). The new policy proved to be a deeply polarizing issue for the committee.
Polarization (noun): The process or state of being divided into opposing groups, or the state of light waves being restricted to a particular plane. The polarization of society is a growing concern.The polarization of light is a key principle in optics.
Polarized (adjective):
- Divided into two opposing groups. The nation is deeply polarized.
- (Of light or other waves) restricted to particular vibrations. We observed the light through a polarized filter.
Polarizer (noun): A device that polarizes light. The photographer attached a polarizer to his camera lens.
- Divide: To separate into parts or groups.
- Split: To break or cause to break into parts, especially into opposing factions.
- Separate: To cause to move or be apart.
- (For light) Filter: To selectively block certain waves or vibrations.
- Unite: To come or bring together for a common purpose.
- Reconcile: To restore friendly relations between; to make compatible.
- Harmonize: To bring into consonance or accord.
- Political polarization: The divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes.
- Magnetic polarization: The alignment of magnetic domains in a material.
- Dielectric polarization: The displacement of positive and negative charges within an insulating material by an external electric field.
- become polarized in a conflict or contrasting situation
- cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions
- cause to vibrate in a definite pattern
- polarize light waves