Loaded Language: Definition and Examples

“Loaded language” describes words or phrases that imply more than their literal meanings. It is used to elicit a strong emotional response, whether positive or negative, from the reader or listener.

People are largely driven by their emotions. As such, writers or speakers sometimes use loaded language to influence people. This makes the use of loaded terms controversial, as it can exploit stereotypes and influence thoughts.

Definition of Loaded Language

Language is constantly evolving to adapt to cultural, political, and social changes. While words start off with literal meanings, sometimes they take on new or different meanings over time. This is called semantic change and is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why loaded language exists.

A word or phrase is “loaded” when it has a second, emotive meaning in addition to its primary meaning. These words often carry strong associations with certain moral concepts, ideologies, terms, and so on.

These connotations evoke strong emotions and imagery for readers and listeners. They’re meant to sensationalize and persuade people into agreeing to or considering a particular idea.

Consider the words “beast” and “animal” as examples. While beast essentially has the same meaning as an animal, it has a negative emotive meaning. A beast is not just any animal, but a creature that is wild and dangerous.

Think of the word “democracy” too. In its literal sense, democracy is a system of governance where power is vested in the people, exercised through their chosen representatives. Many consider anything democratic to be automatically good, viewing it almost as a synonym for freedom and equality.

Loaded language is seen as problematic and dangerous. Some often go as far as calling it brainwashing language. This may largely stem from its ability to strongly influence people, often without their knowledge.

But despite its negative reputation, loaded language is not inherently bad. If it was, then the majority of poetry would be considered bad, as most loaded words are often descriptive and expressive—the kind of words poetry frequently uses.

Examples of Loaded Words

To give you a better idea of what loaded language is, I’ve assembled a list of words and phrases taken from different sources.

Vigilante: While “crime fighter” can mean anyone who fights crime, vigilante means someone who does law enforcement without any legal authority. It’s a word strongly associated with superheroes.
Superior: While “better” simply means something of greater quality, superior evokes the sense that something is far above the rest. It’s often used to imply that something or someone is one of a kind, or that a person is “above” someone else in rank or status.
Pro-life and Pro-choice: In the abortion debate, supporters from both sides frequently use emotionally-charged words. Critics of abortion call themselves “pro-life,” employing a logical fallacy that supporters of abortion are seen as opposed to life itself. Meanwhile, those who support the right to abortion call themselves “pro-choice,” utilizing the concept of freedom to justify their support.
Historic: While “memorable” means something to remember, “historic” carries the connotation of something happening only once in history, or that something is historically important.
Terrorist: While freedom fighters are seen as heroic figures fighting against corrupt governments, terrorists are portrayed to be self-serving killers of innocents. In truth, both terms can be applied to one another depending on perspective.
Bureaucrat: While “public servant” is anyone who works for the government, a bureaucrat is a public servant obsessed with correct procedure, even at the expense of the public.
Liberal and Conservative: While both are political and moral philosophies, many followers of each have taken to using them as insults akin to calling someone names.
Propaganda: This word originally meant any message aimed at serving an agenda but has gained a negative connotation as deceptive and false.
Discrimination: In its original meaning, discrimination means to distinguish the difference between one thing and another. Since the American Civil War, the word has gained a different meaning in American English: the prejudicial treatment of individuals based on racial and social backgrounds.
Demonization: While “criticism” is an expression of disapproval, demonization is extreme criticism. It’s used to create the sense that someone was unfairly portrayed as wicked and threatening.
Status Quo: This Latin phrase simply means the current state of affairs, particularly with political and social conditions. Because of social movements and popular culture, it’s gained a negative connotation, implying that whatever status quo being mentioned is corrupt and must be overhauled.
Go to any lengths: While this can mean doing the utmost you can to achieve something, it’s widely used in its negative form: doing anything to gain what you want regardless of any rules and anyone’s rights.
Gun control: Gun control is a polarizing term in the United States. While its original intention is to regulate the manufacture, sale, and use of firearms, many view it as a violation of the Second Amendment.

How Writers Use Loaded Language

One of the most powerful skills you have as a writer is evoking emotion from your readers. Without emotion, your writing is at risk of falling flat, which means your audience might not fully grasp your intended meaning.

The problem is that emotion is one of the hardest things to incorporate into a written work. This is where loaded language comes in. By using words with highly emotive connotations, you’re providing a spark that readers can latch on to fan their imagination and emotions.

For example, by calling your character a knight, you set the expectation that they’re honorable and martially skilled, because that’s what knights are known for. You can fulfill their expectations or flip them; what you’re doing here is influencing their thoughts to set up the emotional reaction you want.

It’s the same with nonfiction writing: you use loaded words to evoke the emotions and imagery you want to better support a specific idea. Cookbooks and memoirs often use them to make their content more vivid.

In journalism, by contrast, neutrality is key. If you’re not careful, a single word can make a news story appear biased and not credible. Instead of giving out information, you’re unwittingly influencing a reader’s views.

This is why most news agencies like Al Jazeera and Reuters have internal policies about loaded terms, even banning some of them. Even the International Press Institute, a global organization dedicated to quality journalism, has assembled a list of words journalists need to use with care.

The Power of Words

Words have weight. That’s why they can be either a weapon or tool for orators, politicians, writers, and pretty much anyone.

Today, political correctness and a developing culture of sensitivity have made it increasingly important to choose the right words. While loaded language certainly has its place, it’s best to use it with caution.

What’s your take on loaded language? Share it in the comments below!

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