polarizar

Senses

1. 1.

   to polarize

   to cause division into two sharply opposed groups or viewpoints

2. 2.

   to polarize

   in physics, to cause light waves or electromagnetic radiation to vibrate in a single plane

3. 3.

   to polarize

   to concentrate or focus attention, interest, or activity on something

Examples

• "O debate sobre a reforma polarizou a sociedade brasileira."

  The debate about the reform polarized Brazilian society.

• "As eleições polarizaram o país entre esquerda e direita."

  The elections polarized the country between left and right.

• "Esse tema polêmico tende a polarizar as opiniões."

  This controversial topic tends to polarize opinions.

Usage

Most commonly used in political and social contexts to describe the division of groups into opposing camps. Regular -ar verb conjugation. Often used reflexively (polarizar-se) to mean "to become polarized." The noun form is polarização.