emotive meaning

American  

noun

1. the emotional connotation of a word or expression that is used instead of one having a similar meaning but less affective quality, as the connotation of “murder” when used instead of “homicide” or “drunk” instead of “inebriated.”

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Etymology

Origin of emotive meaning

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The arcane theological dispute concerned the precise meaning of Jesus’ suffering during crucifixion, which Pynchon wrote was not the true source of sinners’ redemption — the larger example of the prophet’s life was.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2025

The precise meaning of a specific post is less salient than the supportive interpretation of an audience member.

From Salon • Sep. 5, 2023

Throughout the regular season, one of the dominant storylines of the 2022 baseball discourse centered on the precise meaning of the MVP award.

From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2022

When it’s said the dollar is strong — and traditional U.S. government policy says the dollar should always be strong — that sounds unambiguously positive, with a precise meaning.

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2022

Elizebeth warned Wallace that the precise meaning of this kind of code was hard to prove.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield