What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
polarity
Example
The polarity of the situation was evident in the conflicting opinions of the group. [polarity: noun]
Example
The battery has a positive and negative polarity. [polarity: noun]
Example
The country is experiencing a growing polarity between different political factions. [polarized: adjective]
contradiction
Example
Her actions were in contradiction to her words. [contradiction: noun]
Example
The evidence presented a contradiction to his alibi. [contradiction: noun]
Example
The two sides were in contradiction over the proposed policy. [contradiction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contradiction is more commonly used than polarity in everyday language. Contradiction is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while polarity is less common and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between polarity and contradiction?
Polarity is often used in formal or technical writing, while contradiction can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
