Power word - Definition and Overview

Power word (or power phrase) is a word (or a phrase) that is used to make one's statement stronger. It is a form of a loaded language and is an antonym of euphemism; however, it is not always the same thing as either a dysphemism or a cacophemism which imply the use of harsh or vulgar words.

Note: Many times power words are used in a semantically correct way, but where a synonym would be more appropriate. The choice is made precisely because of the opinion of an individual or a group.

Power words are used often in our lives. They are used in politics to sell ideas, in advertisements to sell products, and in religions to sell beliefs. Power words will often create an impression that any logical argument against the speaker is absurd, when that is not always the case.

Examples

Political

Positive

• Democracy. This word is used to make one's actions and beliefs to be seen as more acceptable, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, which used the word as part of the country's name.
• Republic. Same as democracy. People's Republic of China.
• People, as in "People's Republic", "People's Liberation Army"
  • Collectively North Korea and Laos score highest points here, being officially named the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Lao People's Democratic Republic respectively.
• Freedom. Same as above, especially when used to describe the aims of United States foreign policy. Many use the word to contrast American goals with those of terrorists (in the War on Terror) and Communists (in the Cold War). Notably, supporters of the 2003 invasion of Iraq have defended the action as a defense of "freedom."
  • Shortly before the 2003 war against Iraq, many critics of French opposition to the invasion started calling French fries "freedom fries," French toast "freedom toast," and so on. The United States House of Representatives cafeteria began using those names at the behest of several House Republicans.
• Liberation. Was used by USSR and China as a substitute for Freedom. In such a way Poland was "liberated" from capitalists, and Tibet was "liberated" from imperialist forces of the West. Now the term is commonly applied by United States of America to promote its wars (liberation of Iraq, Afghanistan). Many groups also include the word in their names (Palestine Liberation Army, Palestinian Liberation Organisation).

Negative

• Anarchist, Communist, Hippy, etc. Used to describe demonstrators.
• Dissident. Implies that an opponent's view is uncommon and therefore false. Neutral alternative would be "Alternative" (as an adjective) or "Opponent" (as a noun).
• Un-American (Anti-American) or Un-Soviet (Anti-Soviet). Used in respective countries to describe an opponent to the government or any undesirables.
• Nazi is sometimes used as an adjective to describe any repressive government, whether or not it is National socialist.
• Politically incorrect: Often used to avoid calling something 'offensive' because the speaker does not find it personally offensive.
• Politically correct: used to imply that concern to avoid offence stands in the way of truth.

Religious and spiritual

• Christian. When used to describe a person in a positive light. "She is a true Christian"
• Myth or Legend. When one uses it to describe other religions, it is commonly contrasted with "scripture" or "belief". "Pagan mythology" while "Jewish belief".
• Pagan, Cultist, Sect member, Non-believer, Unfaithful. Describing all individuals of different religious or spiritual views.

Debate specific

Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

• Life in Pro-Life, rather than Anti-Abortion.
• Choice in Pro-Choice, rather than Pro-Abortion.

Anti-War

• Occupant. Negative for soldier.
• Peacekeeper. Same just positive.

War on Terror

• Terrorist. Used rather than a more neutral term combatant or perhaps guerilla, when aims of that person are opposing to the speaker's.
• Freedom fighter. Same as above just used when aims are agreeable.

Other

• So-Called. Commonly used to smear another person. "So-called feminists are commonly engaging in..."
• Naturally. Meaning "Who wouldn't have thought of that" as in "Naturally, Protestant critics have jumped on this bandwagon", or meaning "without a doubt" as in "The point of Brahms's work has naturally been lost by critics"

See also

• Doublespeak