polarized

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'polarized' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two opposing points of view, sides, or groups. Example sentence: The debate between believers and non-believers was highly polarized.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a parliamentary party—'ideologically polarized, internally unified, vehemently oppositional' doesn't work in a 'separation-of-powers system that makes it extremely difficult for majorities to work their will.'"And yet I can't help but feel that there's more going on here than a shift in the GOP's character or strategic doctrine.

The Economist

Of course the electorate is highly polarized.

The Economist

Society was polarized by these developments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The hearings polarized Americans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new coup polarized the country politically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If a solution of a fibrous protein flows through a narrow tube, the elongated molecules become oriented parallel to the direction of the flow (see Figure 2), and the solution thus becomes birefringent like a crystal; i.e., it splits a light ray into two components that travel at different velocities and are polarized at right angles to each other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Photographed in colour, it is revealed as a beautiful red lacy network of long and sinuous glowing hydrogen filaments surrounding a bluish structureless region whose light is strongly polarized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A strong backlash against whole-language teaching polarized these two approaches to reading instruction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first successful system, invented by British microscopist Francis Smith and French physicist Maurice Françon in 1947, used quartz lenses to produce reference and image-forming beams that were perpendicularly polarized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stereocilia decrease in size with distance from the kinocilium and are functionally polarized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Light may be polarized by reflection or by passing it through filters, such as certain crystals, that transmit vibration in one plane but not in others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing societal or political contexts, use "polarized" to highlight the division into opposing groups with conflicting viewpoints. Ensure your sentence clearly indicates what is being polarized and the nature of the division.

Common error

Avoid using "polarized" when describing situations that simply involve diversity of opinion without a strong sense of opposition. Using it incorrectly can create an unintended implication of conflict or discord.

Linguistic Context

The word "polarized" primarily functions as an adjective. It describes something that has been divided into opposing groups or viewpoints, or has acquired polarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

36%

News & Media

24%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "polarized" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of division or opposition, often in societal, political, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI suggests, the term is grammatically correct and widely used across varied authoritative sources. It is most frequently encountered in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. When writing, it is important to use "polarized" when there is a clear division into opposing groups and to avoid using it when describing situations that simply involve diversity of opinion without a strong sense of opposition. For alternative phrasing, consider words like "divided", "split", or "estranged", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharply divided

Highlights the intensity of the division, adding emphasis.

divided sharply

Emphasizes the act of division rather than the state of being divided.

split into extremes

Focuses on the result of polarization, with emphasis on the end-points of the division.

at opposite ends

Stresses the positioning of entities at contrasting extremes.

driven apart

Suggests an external force causing separation.

estranged

Implies a loss of affection or familiarity.

antagonistic

Focuses on the hostility or opposition between groups.

bifurcated

Emphasizes a branching or forking into two distinct paths.

divergent

Highlights the act of moving in different directions.

dissociated

Implies a detachment or separation in association or thought.

FAQs

How to use "polarized" in a sentence?

You can use "polarized" to describe situations where opinions, beliefs, or groups are divided into opposing factions. For example, "The election results showed how "polarized" the country had become."

What can I say instead of "polarized"?

You can use alternatives like "divided", "split", or "estranged" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "polarized" or "polarised"?

"Polarized" is the standard American English spelling, while "polarised" is the British English spelling. Both are correct, but usage depends on the regional context.

What's the difference between "polarized" and "biased"?

"Polarized" implies a division into opposing groups, while "biased" suggests a preference or inclination towards one side or viewpoint. A situation can be both polarized and biased if the division is driven by strong preferences.