divisive

[ dih-vahy-siv, -vis-iv ]
See synonyms for divisive on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. forming or expressing division or distribution.

  2. creating dissension or discord.

Origin of divisive

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin dīvīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dīvīs(us) (see divisible) + -īvus adjective suffix (see -ive)

Other words from divisive

  • di·vi·sive·ly, adverb
  • di·vi·sive·ness, noun
  • non·di·vi·sive, adjective
  • non·di·vi·sive·ly, adverb
  • sem·i·di·vi·sive, adjective
  • sem·i·di·vi·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·di·vi·sive, adjective
  • un·di·vi·sive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for divisive

divisive

/ (dɪˈvaɪsɪv) /


adjective
  1. causing or tending to cause disagreement or dissension

  2. archaic having the quality of distinguishing

Derived forms of divisive

  • divisively, adverb
  • divisiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012