What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
polarising
Example
The politician's speech was polarising, with some people strongly agreeing and others vehemently disagreeing. [polarising: adjective]
Example
The controversial decision by the company was polarising, causing a rift between employees who supported it and those who opposed it. [polarising: gerund or present participle]
divisive
Example
The new policy was divisive, with some employees feeling it was fair while others felt it was unjust. [divisive: adjective]
Example
The controversial decision by the government was divisive, causing protests and demonstrations from both sides of the issue. [divisive: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Divisive is more commonly used than polarising in everyday language. Divisive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while polarising is less common and refers to situations that create extreme and opposing views.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between polarising and divisive?
Both polarising and divisive are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
