bipolarization
- noun
- /ˌbaɪpəˌlɑːrəˈzeɪʃən/
- The increasing bipolarization of political opinions has made constructive debate more difficult.
Examples
-
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
160
4.2
A strong disagreement that separates people in a group
96
4.2
A division in a group that makes two opposing parts
26
7.2
People or groups split into two opposing sides and cannot agree
6
8.6
A point where a road or river splits into two
2
4.9
A split into parts along natural lines, for example in rocks or cells
1
8.0
A situation that shows two opposite qualities
1
7.5
A situation where groups are split and do not work together
1
9.9
The act of dividing something into two clearly different groups
A division of something into two separate parts
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.