Welcome to the Bridging Dictionary, a dynamic prototype from MIT’s Center for Constructive Communication that identifies how words common in American political discourse are used differently across the political divide. In addition to contrasting usage by the political left and right, the dictionary identifies some less polarizing–or bridging–alternatives.
© The Bridging Dictionary 2025
A prototype from the MIT Center for Constructive Communication.
Term | Usage share % |
---|---|
illegals | |
big lie | |
censorship | |
radicals | |
gerrymandering | |
amnesty | |
woke | |
oppressed | |
energy | |
communist | |
liberalism | |
free market | |
global warming | |
socialist | |
government spending | |
leftists | |
racists | |
bureaucracy | |
liars | |
right wing | |
left wing | |
inflation | |
deportation | |
evangelical | |
liberties | |
white privilege | |
immigration | |
enemies | |
communism | |
terrorists | |
nationalism | |
education | |
unions | |
elites | |
capitalism | |
whites | |
empowered | |
critical race theory | |
ideology | |
freedom | |
deniers | |
evil | |
sacrifice | |
middle class | |
liberal | |
law and order | |
mass shooting | |
liberty | |
immigrants | |
news media | |
tyranny | |
crime | |
supporters | |
war | |
insurrection | |
policing | |
patriot | |
deep state | |
defendant | |
extremist | |
military | |
minimum wage | |
government shutdown | |
repression | |
believers | |
safeguard | |
senators | |
desperation | |
illiberal | |
independents | |
trust | |
police officer | |
grassroots | |
religious | |
border | |
authoritarian | |
undocumented | |
democracy | |
credible | |
dog whistle | |
bigotry | |
democratic | |
mob | |
secular | |
sexual assault | |
stimulus | |
culture war | |
immigrant | |
impeachment | |
domestic terrorism | |
republic | |
misinformation | |
suppress | |
rioters | |
compromise |