divided
adjective
di·vid·ed
də-ˈvī-dəd 
1
a
: separated into parts or pieces
b
of a leaf
: cut into distinct parts by incisions extending to the base or to the midrib
c
: having a barrier (such as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions
a divided highway
2
a
: disagreeing with each other : disunited
b
: directed or moved toward conflicting interests, states, or objects
divided loyalties
3
: separated by distance
… familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided.—
James Joyce
James JoyceExamples of divided in a Sentence
Experts are sharply divided on the issue.
The issue has created a deeply divided nation.
She feels like she only gets her mother's divided attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
That's according to Lauren Downing Peters, associate professor of fashion studies at Columbia College Chicago, who says these clothes, decorations and products harken to a previous time, rather than look forward, showing how America's birthday can be a unifying force in divided moments.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The divided market is even more extreme over the past three months, on roughly the time scale of the Iran war.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 May 2026
The Minnesota Senate passed a gun control bill along party lines last week, but the legislation is unlikely to pass the divided House.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 13 May 2026
One of the diplomats said Pakistan was trying to arrange a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and paving the way for a broader dialogue on issues where the two sides remain divided.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for divided
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The divided market is even more extreme over the past three months, on roughly the time scale of the Iran war.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 May 2026
The Minnesota Senate passed a gun control bill along party lines last week, but the legislation is unlikely to pass the divided House.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 13 May 2026
One of the diplomats said Pakistan was trying to arrange a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and paving the way for a broader dialogue on issues where the two sides remain divided.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for divided
Cite this Entry
“Divided.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divided. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
divided
adjective
di·vid·ed
1
a
: separated into parts, classes, or portions
divided coverage
divided custody
b
in the civil law of Louisiana
: separately owned, possessed, or held : no longer held in indivision
owner of a divided part or of the entire estate following partition—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Codegranted in divided portions
2
: not united : failing to agree
a divided Court
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
