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  1. Home /
  2. Dictionaries /
  3. Diccionario Español-Inglés /
  4. polarización

polarización

/polaɾiθaˈθjon/
political or social division

La polarización en el país ha aumentado en los últimos años.

Polarization in the country has increased in recent years.


formal

The process of dividing a society, group, or population into opposing factions or extremes, often along political, ideological, or social lines.

El debate político ha llevado a una mayor polarización en la sociedad.

The political debate has led to greater polarization in society.

Often used in political and social contexts to describe deep divisions.

technical

In physics, the alignment of the electric or magnetic fields of waves in a specific direction.

La polarización de la luz es un fenómeno importante en óptica.

The polarization of light is an important phenomenon in optics.

A technical term in physics, distinct from the social/political usage.

Collocations

polarización políticapolitical polarizationpolarización socialsocial polarizationpolarización de la luzpolarization of light

Synonyms

divisiónfragmentaciónseparación

Antonyms

unidadconciliacióncohesión

Related Phrases

estar polarizadophrase
to be polarized

Pro Tip

Context Matters

Be mindful of the context when using 'polarización,' as its meaning varies significantly between social/political and scientific contexts.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overgeneralization

Do not use 'polarización' to describe minor disagreements; it implies deep, often irreconcilable divisions.

Word Origin

Derived from the verb 'polarizar,' which comes from the Latin 'polaris' (pole) and the suffix '-izar' (to make).

Usage Notes

In Spanish, 'polarización' is most commonly used in political and social contexts, though it also has a technical meaning in physics.

Word Breakdown

polar
relating to poles or extremes
root
+
-ización
the process of making or becoming
suffix
Diccionario Español-Inglés
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