Manipulative Wording
Techniques that operate at the level of word choice, scale, and precision rather than argument.
32,878 instances recorded across 4 techniques.
Techniques in this category
| Technique | Instances |
|---|---|
| Loaded Language Choosing words whose emotional charge exceeds what the documented facts support, so the reader's reaction is set before the evidence is presented. | 23,200 |
| Repetition Restating a claim often enough that familiarity substitutes for support. | 417 |
| Exaggeration/Minimisation Scaling something up or down out of proportion to the record — inflating a threat, or shrinking a documented harm. | 7,260 |
| Obfuscation/Vagueness Using language imprecise enough that the claim cannot be checked, while still leaving an impression. | 2,001 |
Recent examples
"brought the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, to more than 74,382"
The figure '74,382' is presented without context or verification, and significantly exceeds documented casualty counts from credible sources such as the Gaza Health Ministry (which reported approximately 35,000 by mid-2025) and international monitoring bodies. Presenting this unverified, inflated number serves to exaggerate the scale of death, likely to provoke emotional response.
Israeli attacks kill one in Gaza, wound journalists in occupied West Bank"halt this war against the civilian population"
Uses emotionally charged language ('war against the civilian population') to frame Israeli actions as intentionally targeting non-combatants, which goes beyond a neutral description of military operations and implies deliberate aggression, even though the source (Gaza’s Civil Defence agency) is the one making the claim.
Israeli attacks kill one in Gaza, wound journalists in occupied West Bank"at least 100 waves of determined and successful Iranian counterstrikes"
The phrase 'at least 100 waves' is vague and potentially exaggerated given the lack of verifiable detail; it amplifies the scale and success of Iranian actions in a way that lacks proportionality and could mislead about the intensity or documented impact of the strikes.
Iran’s missiles determine equation, forced US to say ‘Yes, sir!’: Acting defense minister"the latest aggression against Iran alongside the Israeli regime"
Uses emotionally charged phrasing ('latest aggression') and associates Israel with hostility without neutrality, framing the U.S.-Israel relationship in a negatively charged way that goes beyond factual reporting.
Iran’s missiles determine equation, forced US to say ‘Yes, sir!’: Acting defense minister"a 'fireworks show,' with the goal of providing Trump an off-ramp from the conflict even if those strikes fail to accomplish his stated goals"
Describes potential military strikes as a 'fireworks show,' which minimizes their destructive intent and reduces them to symbolic spectacle, thereby downplaying the severity of military action and framing it as performative rather than strategically meaningful.
US considering using ‘Mother of All Bombs’ against Iran, sources say | CNN Politics"the so-called “mother of all bombs”"
Uses quotation marks around the nickname 'mother of all bombs' to subtly signal skepticism or irony, framing the weapon in a way that may evoke emotional or critical reactions, while not outright endorsing the term. This rhetorical distancing through scare quotes adds a layer of editorial judgment.
US considering using ‘Mother of All Bombs’ against Iran, sources say | CNN Politics