emotive

IPA/ɪˈməʊtɪv/
KK[ɪmˈotɪv]IPA/ɪˈməʊtɪv/

emotive — adjective

  • emotivepositive
  • more emotivecomparative
  • most emotivesuperlative

1. making people feel something strongly, especially in ways that quickly create sy

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

making people feel something strongly, especially in ways that quickly create sympathy, anger, or excitement.

Example

Lien gave an emotive speech about the hospital that had closed in her town.

emotive + speech about a public issue

The newspaper chose an emotive headline to spark anger after the factory fire.

emotive headline designed to influence readers

Common collocations
  • emotive language
  • emotive appeal
  • emotive issue
  • emotive speech
  • highly emotive
Synonyms
  • moving

    usually positive or sympathetic; emotive can also provoke anger or fear

  • stirring

    often inspiring; emotive is broader and can be more strategic

  • provocative

    focuses on causing reaction or argument, not always strong feeling

Antonyms
  • neutral

    does not try to push the audience toward a strong emotional response

  • matter-of-fact

    plain and unemotional in tone

Grammar Patterns

emotive + speech/article/issue

highly emotive

Usage Note

Often describes words, images, music, or public messages that are chosen to influence feelings strongly. Distinguish from sense 2 — this sense focuses on the effect on the audience, not simply on showing feeling.

Common Mistakes

The report gave emotive facts about rent prices.
The report used emotive language about rent prices.
emotive usually describes the wording, image, or appeal that creates the feeling, not neutral facts themselves.

2. showing a lot of feeling, or based more on emotion than on calm analysis.

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

showing a lot of feeling, or based more on emotion than on calm analysis.

Example

Mauricio grew emotive when he described meeting his daughter after the war.

be/grow emotive when recalling a personal event

The judge warned both lawyers not to become too emotive during closing statements.

too emotive in a formal setting

Common collocations
  • become emotive
  • highly emotive
  • emotive reply
  • emotive style
  • too emotive
Synonyms
  • emotional

    the nearest everyday word; emotive is more formal and often evaluative

  • passionate

    often approving and energetic; emotive can sound less controlled

  • sentimental

    suggests soft or excessive feeling, not just strong expression

Antonyms
  • detached

    keeps personal feeling out of the response

  • analytical

    focuses on reasons and evidence rather than emotion

Grammar Patterns

be emotive

emotive style

highly emotive person

Usage Note

Often used when a person, reply, or discussion openly shows feeling, sometimes more than the situation seems to need. Distinguish from sense 1 — sense 1 is about causing emotion in others, while this sense is about expressing or relying on emotion.

Common Mistakes

The graph is emotive because the numbers are sad.
The commentary around the graph is emotive.
charts and raw figures are not emotive unless the presentation itself shows or pushes emotion.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

These words all involve strong feeling, but they point to different things. 'Emotional' is the broad everyday word for someone who feels or shows emotion easily. 'Emotive' is more formal and often used when a reply, style, or discussion seems driven by feeling rather than by calm reasoning. 'Passionate' is usually more positive: it suggests energy, commitment, and strong belief. 'Sentimental' often carries a warning that the feeling is soft, exaggerated, or shaped by nostalgia. A coach can give a passionate defense of the team, but reporters may call the same answer emotive if it avoids the facts. A family photo may feel sentimental, while a crying witness may sound emotional.

emotive ↗emotional ↗passionate ↗sentimental ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • emotive language
  • an emotive issue
  • become emotive
  • too emotive
  • highly emotive response

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Built from 'emotion' with the adjective-forming ending '-ive'. The modern word developed in English to describe language, art, or behaviour that works through feeling. In current use it can describe something that stirs emotion in other people, or something that openly shows emotion itself.

First known use

1830

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1