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The dictionary defines “polarization” as “division into two sharply distinct opposites.”
The term’s origins date back to the early 1800. (Representative Image)
Merriam-Webster has chosen “polarization” as its 2024 Word of the Year. The word saw a significant rise in searches on Merriam-Webster.com throughout the year, showing the public’s growing concern over the polarized state of society.
The dictionary defines “polarization” as a division into two very different extremes, where opinions, beliefs, or interests are no longer in the middle but are instead at opposite ends. Fox News reported on voter polarization regarding immigration, while MSNBC pointed out that the 2024 presidential election has made the country more polarized than ever.
The term’s origins date back to the early 1800s when it was used to describe light waves. Over time, its meaning evolved to reflect the growing intensity of political and cultural divisions in society. Merriam-Webster notes that the word’s roots lie in the Latin “polaris,” meaning “of the poles,” which highlights the sharp contrasts we see today in politics, race relations, and social issues.
This year’s selection of “polarization” follows last year’s choice of “authentic”. Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large, told AP, “Polarization means division, but it’s a very specific kind of division. Polarization means that we are tending toward the extremes rather than toward the centre.” Sokolowski puts focus on the importance of the dictionary as a neutral arbiter of meaning in an era dominated by “fake news” and “alternative facts.”
‘Polarization’ was chosen as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2024 because of its growing relevance in describing the deepening divides in society. According to Sokolowski, the word’s increasing usage reflects a societal shift toward more extreme differences in opinions and beliefs. He referred to “polarization” as a relatively young word in the English language.
Beyond politics, “polarization” has become a key term in workplace dynamics, with Forbes warning about “cultural polarization” in organizational settings. The term has also made its way into pop culture, technology, and sports. Controversies such as the scrutiny over Taylor Swift’s private jet use, the rivalry between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and the IOC’s decision to strip gymnast Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal all illustrate the widespread impact of polarization.
In 2024, several other words, like totality, demure, fortnight, pander, resonate, allision, weird, cognitive, and democracy, saw significant increases in lookups.
