emotive

adjective emo·tive \ i-ˈmō-tiv \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of emotive

1 : of or relating to the emotions

2 : appealing to or expressing emotion

the emotive use of language

3 chiefly British : causing strong emotions often in support of or against something

… the latest proposal aimed at breaking a long-running deadlock over the emotive issue of whaling …
—Tom Pfeiffer

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emotively

adverb

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emotivity

play \i-ˌmō-ˈti-və-tē, ˌē-ˌmō-\ noun

See emotive defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of emotive from the Web

Their surge in popularity has put politicians under pressure to act on migration – an emotive issue in the country ever since Merkel decided to open Germany’s borders to over 1 million refugees in 2015.

— billy perrigo, Time, "Angela Merkel Is Fighting for Her Political Life. Here's What to Know," 18 June 2018
Voter registration has become an emotive political issue on the left, and the four liberals are riding that political wave in wanting judges to define what is reasonable under the federal statute.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "A Victory for Voting Law," 11 June 2018
Keys’s newfound clarity on clay will be tested against Putintseva, who can drive even the calmest players to distraction with her emotive outbursts.

— ben rothenberg, New York Times, "Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens Have Parallel Lives on a Collision Course," 3 June 2018
On set, 19-year-old artist Chella Man felt right at home in the second floor bathroom painted by Keith Haring; both Haring and Chella use a fluid, often abstract yet heavily emotive, freehand style to express themselves.

— sean bennett, Teen Vogue, "How the Artists and Activists from Marc Jacobs' Pride 2018 Campaign Use Fashion to Show Express Identity," 21 June 2018
Rihanna's extremely personal and emotive Instagram Story proved just how inappropriate the ad was, and how insensitive its subject matter was to anyone affected by domestic violence.

— amy mackelden, Marie Claire, "Rihanna's Response to Chris Brown Ad Causes Snapchat's Stock to Plummet," 16 Mar. 2018
The choreographer preferred that his dancers perform without undue force or emotive emphases.

— robert greskovic, WSJ, "A Celebration of Jerome Robbins," 8 May 2018
Her sound is emotive, melismatic, acrobatic, and her visuals are similarly bombastic — a lot of hair, plenty of ass and sweat, and more than a few wardrobe changes.

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "Why Beyoncé Placed HBCU’s at the Center of American Life," 7 May 2018
She's become a superstar thanks to a string of emotive ballads that showcase her rich, powerful voice.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Mexican superstar Yuridia sets Houston date," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emotive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of emotive

1830

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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EMOTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

emotive

adjective

Definition of emotive for English Language Learners

: of or relating to emotions
: causing strong emotions for or against something

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emotive

Definition of emotive

emotively

emotivity

Recent Examples of emotive from the Web

First Known Use of emotive

EMOTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

emotive

Definition of emotive for English Language Learners

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emotive

Definition of emotive

emotively

emotivity

Recent Examples of emotive from the Web

First Known Use of emotive

EMOTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

emotive

Definition of emotive for English Language Learners

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