Word that describes terms that exclude or divide people

Question

A few examples:

1. A creationist and an evolutionist want to save an endangered bee species. The creationist remarks about how bees were 'created' to pollinate plants. The evolutionist no longer wants to work with the creationist.

2. A man and woman are discussing how to promote equality between the sexes in the workplace. At some point, the woman complains about the 'manosphere'. This discourages the man from participating in the movement, he feels attacked by use of that term.

3. A pro-life woman and a pro-choice woman want to help out single mothers. The pro-lifer says single mothers are people that didn't 'murder' their babies. The pro-choicer sees that as an accusation, since she supports abortion as an option.

In all the examples, the word in quotes divides the people, hindering the cause. What do we call those words? In each situation, neutral language could have been used, or the word wasn't necessary to describe the cause.

If my examples are offensive to anyone, please help me improve them.

Answer 1

Within the specific contexts of these scenarios we might describe these words as controversial. Perhaps the individual words could be described more specifically as divisive. In each case, one person used divisive language which discouraged the other person from wanting to participate. I would argue that the words could be considered divisive because they are often in complete contrast (to the point of being offensive) to the other person's view.

divisive /dɪˈvʌɪsɪv/adj. — Oxford

Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people: 'the highly divisive issue of abortion'

Answer 2

We've got some very good suggestions in the other answers, but I will put forth a few more that seem particularly appropriate:

polarizing

: causing (people, opinions, etc.) to separate into opposing groups

_{(source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarizing)}

or

loaded (language)

Loaded words and phrases have strong emotional implications and involve strongly positive or negative reactions beyond their literal meaning.

_{(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loaded_language)}

Answer 3

Here's two adjectives that may be useful for the contexts you've included.

contentious adjective: causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. "a contentious issue"

synonyms: controversial, disputable, debatable, disputed, open to debate, vexed "a contentious issue" see, Google.com contentious

coloured adjective: 1.1. Imbued with an emotive or exaggerated quality: “highly coloured examples were used by both sides”. Oxford Dictionaries colored/coloured

Answer 4

Issues like abortion and evolution are often described as Divisive.

I think in the context you describe it would be acceptable to describe the language tied to those issues as divisive.

If you want to describe a situation where a minority group or an individual is being excluded, rather than one where a group is divided into factions then you might use the word exclusionary.

Answer 5

Not a single word, but an expression I would use for this sort of situation is "His comments put a wedge between them."

Answer 6

In the examples you specified I'd consider the word partisan, especially in examples 1 and 3, where the language used is specifically designed to separate otherwise entirely compatible people based on a single issue.

Answer 7

You have some good answers here, but might I add "polemical"? It has the advantage of making you sound smart when you say it (or possibly pretentious, it could go either way depending on the audience).

po·lem·i·cal pəˈlemək(ə)l/ adjective: polemical

of, relating to, or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech.

Answer 8

Completely depending on the context, calling such words controversial can usually also be of help.

You generally want to go with divisive, but in the case of this word being brought up by large groups of people and/or in frequent occasion (e.g. female empowerment), controversial is generally also a strong word choice.

I would generally still use divisive, though.

Answer 9

Schismatic (from the word schism, which refers to a divide) is applicable here, albeit not too common.

Answer 10

I'd call them discriminatory terms or language:

• marked by or showing prejudice; biased.

• characterized by or showing prejudice or partiality.

(TFD)

Answer 11

Antagonistic:

adjective

1 Showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something:

Noun form: antagonism:

1797, from French antagonisme or directly from late Greek antagonisma, noun of action from antagonizesthai "to struggle against" (see antagonist).

1590s, from French antagoniste (16c.) or directly from Late Latin antagonista, from Greek antagonistes "competitor, opponent, rival," agent noun from antagonizesthai "to struggle against, oppose, be a rival," from anti- "against" (see anti-) + agonizesthai "to contend for a prize," from agon "contest" (see agony). Originally in battle or sport, extended 1620s to any sphere of human activity.

agony

late 14c., "mental suffering" (especially that of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane), from Old French agonie, agoine "anguish, terror, death agony" (14c.), and directly from Late Latin agonia, from Greek agonia "a (mental) struggle for victory," originally "a struggle for victory in the games," from agon "assembly for a contest," from agein "to lead" (see act (n.)). Sense of "extreme bodily suffering" first recorded c.1600.

These people have divergent struggles: the antagonism of the issue they disagree on is a barrier to collaboration in the struggle they agree on.

Answer 12

I'd call this labeling people, assigning labels

Latino High School Graduation: Defying the Odds - Page 36 Harriett D. Romo - 1996

There is a substantial research literature demonstrating that the simple act of labeling people significantly affects their behavior.15 Students who are labeled "Gifted and Talented" are much more likely to behave accordingly;