Divisive is an adjective describing something that tends to cause disagreement or hostility between people or groups. It highlights controversy and division rather than consensus. The term is often used in political, social, or policy contexts to signal contrasting viewpoints that can fragment opinions or loyalties.
"The proposed policy proved highly divisive, drawing sharp lines between supporters and opponents."
"In many communities, the debate over school uniforms became a divisive issue."
"The leader’s speech was meant to unite, but it only proved divisive among factions."
"Critics argued that the documentary avoided nuance and instead focused on divisive narratives."
Divisive comes from the Latin divisus, the past participle of dividere, meaning 'to divide.' The prefix dis- intensifies the sense of separation, while the suffix -ive turns the verb into an adjective describing something that causes division. The root element divid- traces back to classical Latin, with cognates in Romance languages; the sense of ‘causing division’ has persisted through Middle English into modern usage. The early uses of divisive appeared in political and rhetorical contexts, where speakers or texts were described as divisive if they tended to split audiences rather than persuade them. Over time, the word broadened beyond politics to describe any issue, policy, or phenomenon that prompts disagreement or factionalism, and it remains common in media, academia, and everyday discourse when assessing contentious topics.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Divisive" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Divisive" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Divisive"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as di-ˈvi-siv, with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US dɪˈvɪsɪv, UK dɪˈvɪsɪv, AU dɪˈvɪsɪv. Start with a short 'dih' sound, then a stressed 'VI' with a clear 'vih' vowel, and finish with a light 'siv' where the final 'v' is voiced. You can listen to examples on Pronounce and Forvo for nuance in rhythm and voicing.
Common errors include reducing the second syllable to a weak schwa or misplacing the stress (e.g., di-ˈvi-sive or di-vi-ˈsive). Another mistake is voicing the final 'e' as a hard 'ee' or 'ay' sound rather than a short 'ih' quality. Correction: keep the main stress on the second syllable, ensure a crisp 'v' between the syllables, and finish with a light, short 'iv' ending where 'ive' is pronounced as 'ɪv' not a long vowel.
US tends to have a slightly fuller mid-vowel in the first syllable and a crisp, rapid second syllable: dɪˈvɪsɪv. UK often preserves tighter vowels with a clipped ending: dɪˈvɪsɪv. AU typically mirrors US rhythm but with more centralized onset vowels in some speakers: dɪˈvɪsɪv. Key: rhotics are less pronounced in non-US accents; the 'vi' syllable remains stressed and the 'sive' ending stays short and unstressed.
The challenge lies in the two consecutive light 'i' sounds and the fast transition from the stressed 'vi' to the final 'sive.' Ensuring the middle 'vi' carries the primary stress without elongating the following syllable requires precise tongue positioning: a relaxed jaw, a midway tongue height, and a voiceless-to-voiced transition at the 's' to 'v' boundary. Practice with slow syllable isolation, then blend into rapid speech.
Divisive has a tri-syllabic pattern with a clear secondary 'i' in the first and third syllables; the second syllable bears primary stress. There is no silent letter in this word, but the ending 'ive' is pronounced as /ɪv/, not /aɪv/ or /iːv/. Emphasize the 'v' sound to prevent it from lurking as a softened 'f' or silent consonant. IPA guide will help you verify the exact mouth shapes.
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