highly charged words

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly charged words" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe language that is emotionally or politically charged, evoking strong reactions from the reader or listener. For example: - The politician's speech was filled with highly charged words, stirring up controversy and outrage among his opponents. - The article used highly charged words to describe the environmental crisis, painting a bleak and urgent picture. - The play featured a character who would continually use highly charged words to manipulate and control those around him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Terms such as scab, strike-breaker, company-man, and goon were highly charged words in the era in which labour began to organize in the United States; they are not used lightly even today, though they have been taken into the standard language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Born again"" are two highly charged words in our culture.

Huffington Post

Do not react negatively -- even and especially to highly charged words and tones.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Blood" is a highly charged word in DMX's vocabulary.

The New York Times - Arts

Barker, a former musician and songwriter, and Taylor, the author of "The Future of Jazz," show no awareness that for a century or so, authenticity has been a crucial and highly charged word and concept in philosophy, psychology and aesthetics.

The New York Times - Books

Q. Do you feel that microbicides have been on a back burner for all these years because of that highly charged word sexism? A. It's one of the issues.

The New York Times - Health

For The Times's consistently liberal editorial page to brand Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. with the highly charged word "ideologue" because he states that he has always been a conservative is unwarranted and unfair.

The New York Times

Without using the highly charged S-word, he must teach the nation the benefits of a mixed economy, government regulation and nationalization of health care, not just banks.

Huffington Post

In some reports, T2 targets that are highly salient, because they are visually dissimilar to T1 (Raymond et al., 1995) or because they depict arousing words or images, can overcome the AB (e.g., emotionally charged words; Keil and Ihssen, 2004), suggesting that stimulus properties can sometimes overcome some of the intrinsic limitations on visual attention.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Words like anxiety and nervousness are likely to be considered negatively charged words, especially by men of a younger age.

BMC Family Practice

Spike Lee has directed "A Huey P. Newton Story," turning Mr. Smith's 1997 one-man Off Broadway show, based on Newton's own words, into a highly charged docudrama.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly charged words" judiciously. Overusing them can diminish their impact and make your writing seem overly dramatic. Consider the specific context and audience when choosing such words.

Common error

Avoid using "highly charged words" gratuitously. If your goal is to inform or persuade, rely on evidence and sound reasoning, and don't use excessive language to create a false sense of urgency or importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly charged words" functions as a noun phrase, where "highly charged" is an adjective modifying the noun "words." It typically refers to words that carry a strong emotional or political weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and used to describe evocative language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly charged words" refer to language that evokes strong emotional or political responses. Grammatically correct and contextually appropriate, as Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to describe the intensity of language across varied sources, including News & Media and encyclopedias. While it can be impactful, the phrase is uncommon. When using "highly charged words", it's essential to consider the context and potential impact on your audience to ensure your message is delivered effectively and ethically. Alternative phrases, such as "emotionally loaded language" or "inflammatory language", can be used depending on the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotionally loaded language

Focuses on the emotional impact of the words.

inflammatory language

Highlights the potential to provoke anger or strong negative reactions.

sensitive terminology

Emphasizes the need for careful and considerate language use.

provocative terms

Highlights words designed to elicit a reaction.

contentious vocabulary

Stresses the disagreement or controversy associated with the words.

polarizing language

Highlights the division and separation created by the choice of words.

words with strong connotations

Focuses on the implied meanings and associations of the words.

expressive vocabulary

Emphasizes the capacity of words to convey deep feeling.

politically charged lexicon

Highlights the political implications and motivations behind the chosen words.

loaded phrases

Highlights the subtext of the words.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "highly charged words" in my writing?

Use "highly charged words" sparingly and strategically to emphasize critical points. Ensure they align with the overall tone and purpose of your writing to avoid alienating or overwhelming your audience.

What are some alternative phrases to "highly charged words"?

You can use alternatives such as "emotionally loaded language", "inflammatory language", or "sensitive terminology" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "highly charged words"?

It's appropriate to use "highly charged words" in contexts where strong emotions are relevant, such as in persuasive speeches, opinion pieces, or creative writing. However, avoid them in purely factual or objective reports.

How do "highly charged words" differ from neutral language?

"Highly charged words" evoke strong emotional responses and carry significant connotations, while neutral language is objective and factual. The choice depends on your intention: to stir emotions or to present information impartially.