Standard Lemma guide

polarizing

adj · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈpoʊ.lə.ɹaɪzɪŋ/
  • CMU ARPABET: P OW1 L ER0 AY2 Z IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Characterized by strong, divided opinions among people; divisive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • It is a polarizing novel, loved by some and hated by others.
  • Che Guevara remains a polarizing Marxist revolutionary, feted by some as a champion of the poor and reviled by others as a bloodthirsty monster.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of polarize

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From polarize + -ing.