bipolarization
- noun
- /ˌbaɪpəˌlɑːrəˈzeɪʃən/
- The increasing bipolarization of political opinions has made constructive debate more difficult.
Examples
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In Korea, the tendency is toward bipolarization between university graduates and the rest.
Academic text (1992) -
The assassination of Dr. Faraj Foda by two members of Islamic Jihad on 8 June 1992, for having been a secularist and an outspoken critic of Islamic organizations, underscores the degree of bipolarization in Egyptian society.
Academic text (1996) -
In many societies, the bipolarization of wealth has led to significant socioeconomic tensions.
-
The bipolarization in consumer preferences has resulted in a stark divide between luxury and budget brands.
Synonyms
A strong disagreement that separates people in a group
A division in a group that makes two opposing parts
People or groups split into two opposing sides and cannot agree
A point where a road or river splits into two
A split into parts along natural lines, for example in rocks or cells
The act of dividing something into two clearly different groups
A division of something into two separate parts
A situation that shows two opposite qualities
A situation where groups are split and do not work together
How Polarized
Surface Forms
Morphology
bipolarization = bipolar (semi-transparent) = bi + polar + ization
The form is structurally clear, but the social meaning of dividing into opposing groups is a metaphorical extension from physical poles.
Etymology
Bipolarization comes from bi- 'two' and polar 'poles', like north and south or two opposite points. So it is a way to say something is being split into two clear, opposing groups or sides.