emotive

Definitions

e- (out) + mot (moved) + -ive (tending to) = 'tending to move feelings out.' Built on the same stem as emotion, but emotive describes things that provoke emotion — an emotive issue, emotive language designed to stir people. Distinct from 'emotional,' which describes feelings themselves or a person feeling them.

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Immigration is a highly emotive topic in many countries.

• 2.

  The speech used emotive language to sway the crowd.

Easily Confused

emotive vs emotional — emotive describes things that cause emotion (an emotive issue, emotive words). emotional describes the feelings themselves or a person showing them (an emotional reaction, she got emotional). A debate can be emotive (it stirs people) without you being emotional.