polarized
UK: ˈpəʊləraɪzd | US: ˈpoʊləraɪzd
adj. divided into opposing groups or viewpoints
vt. caused to vibrate in a particular pattern (physics)
vt. made susceptible to a specific influence (chemistry/biology)
Derived from "pole" (from Latin polus, meaning "end of an axis"), combined with the suffix "-ize" (Greek -izein, "to render/make"). The word originally described physical polarization (e.g., light waves) but later extended metaphorically to societal divisions. The morphemes reflect a logical progression: from literal poles → the act of creating polarity → the resulting state.
The debate polarized public opinion into two extreme camps.
Light becomes polarized when passing through certain filters.
The election results revealed a deeply polarized nation.
Scientists studied how the magnetic field polarized the particles.
Social media often amplifies polarized viewpoints.