What Kind of Connotation Does the Word Dump Generally Have
Positive and Negative Connotations: Example Sentences
Has someone ever said something to you that rubbed you the wrong way? Meanwhile, they're wondering why you've taken such offense to something they casually said. Well, words matter. And the words we choose in our everyday speech and writing is a reflection of our thoughts.
Connotation is an idea or feeling that a word evokes. If something has a positive connotation, it will evoke warm feelings. Meanwhile, something with a negative connotation will make someone feel less than pleasant. To call someone "verbose" when you want to say they're a "great conversationalist" may not convey that. Your tone could imply they talk too much or that they're lovely to be around. In the positive and negative connotation example sentences below, you'll be able to take a look at both sides of the coin.
curious boy looking over fence
Difference Between a Positive and Negative Connotation
Words can cut or they can empower you. Imagine the tone in the delivery in the sentences below. Some will come off as rude or snobbish. Others will appear to be well-spoken and gentle. The connotation of certain words will affect not only how you feel about what's being said, but also how you feel about the person using the words.
These pairs of positive and negative sentences will show you how words that are actually synonyms for each other can come across as warm, neutral, or very cold.
Mature vs. Elderly
Positive: My new neighbor is a mature woman.
Negative: My new neighbor is an elderly woman.
Mature carries the connotation of dignified, while, elderly just sounds "old."
Economical vs. Cheap
Positive: Before he makes any purchases, Billy likes to do his research; he's very economical.
Negative: Before he makes any purchases, Billy likes to do his research; he's so cheap.
When we think of someone economical, we tend to consider them to be logical and wise. Meanwhile, cheap is a derogatory term for someone stingy.
Take a look at Connotative Words: Examples and Exercises. There, we review why connotation is so important, and demonstrate the positive, neutral and negative connotations of words.
Challenge vs. Difficult
Positive: Yesterday's workout was a challenge.
Negative: Yesterday's workout was very difficult.
For something to be a challenge, it's not necessarily bad, you may actually enjoy it. But, a difficulty is usually unpleasant.
Conversationalist vs. Chatty
Positive: Yay! It's Lydia. She's a fabulous conversationalist.
Negative: Oh! It's Lydia. She's so chatty.
To call someone a great conversationalist is a compliment. If someone's chatty, that tends toward "annoying."
Pretty vs. Hot
Positive: David's new girlfriend is so pretty.
Negative: David's new girlfriend is so hot.
Every woman wants to feel pretty. Some like to be called "hot," as well. However, that label can carry a more sexist undertone.
Determined vs. Stubborn
Positive: The more you work with him, the more you'll find he's a very determined man.
Negative: The more you work with him, the more you'll find he's a very stubborn man.
There's not much wrong with being determined; it means you're likely to get things done. To be labeled stubborn, however, is less than appealing.
Ready to see some of the literary greats use connotation to their advantage? Check out Connotation in Literature Examples and see how a single word can change the meaning of a sentence.
Unique vs. Weird
Positive: Is that what you're reading? Your interests sure are unique.
Negative: Is that what you're reading? Your interests sure are weird.
Uniqueness is a bit like prettiness; there's nothing wrong with being special. Weird, however, carries a very negative undertone.
Reserved vs. Timid
Positive: She'll open up eventually; she's just a little reserved around new people.
Negative: She'll open up eventually; she's just a little timid around new people.
To be reserved means you're a bit of an observer; that's hardly a "dig" at someone. However, to be labeled timid means others probably think you're too shy.
Laid Back vs. Lazy
Positive: He's too laid back to clean the dust off the ceiling fan.
Negative: He's too lazy to clean the dust off the ceiling fan.
Who doesn't love a laid back, zen soul? To call someone lazy, though, means you don't hold them in high regard; you dislike their lack of motivation.
Energetic vs. Hyperactive
Positive: That child is more than a little energetic.
Negative: That child is more than a little hyperactive.
Most children are energetic; that can be a lot of fun to be around. Anything with the "hyer" prefix, however, insinuates just a little bit too much.
Driven vs. Pushy
Positive: Our new boss is incredibly driven.
Negative: Our new boss is incredibly pushy.
Sort of like "determined," a driven individual is inspiring. But, the moment someone crosses over into "pushy" is a recipe for disaster.
Curious vs. Nosy
Positive: She's a very curious child.
Negative: She's a very nosy child.
A curious mind is a beautiful thing; the learning never stops. But, for someone to call a child nosy, they're clearly not pleased.
Simple vs. Dumb
Positive: Let's just say she's a little more simple than others her age.
Negative: Let's just say she's dumb.
To be "simple" or "simple-minded," probably means you're very sweet, but not the smartest person in the room. To be labeled as flat out dumb is not only hurtful but deliberately insulting.
Excited vs. Anxious
Positive: I'm really excited to meet him.
Negative: I'm really anxious about meeting him.
Who doesn't love to be excited? It means something great is coming. To be anxious isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. It just connotes a little bit of nervous energy; it's not quite as appealing as pure excitement and joy.
Assertive vs. Aggressive
Positive: You can always count on him to be assertive.
Negative: You can always count on him to be aggressive.
Much like a determined soul, an assertive person is going to take initiative and "get things done." An aggressive person, however, is someone people flee from.
Reduced vs. Slashed
Positive: Her course load has been reduced.
Negative: Her course load has been slashed.
To have something reduced can be a good thing; there's no telling. However, the moment something's been slashed, it means it happened suddenly and dramatically.
Confident vs. Egotistical
Positive: At work and at home, she's very confident.
Negative: At work and at home, she's very egotistical.
Determined… assertive… confident. Each of these labels carries a positive connotation; they indicate a "go-getter." However, once someone slips from confident to egotistical, they're no longer an inspiration to be around.
Intelligent vs. Nerd
Positive: Wow! I didn't know he was so intelligent.
Negative: Wow! I didn't know he was such a nerd.
To carry a mark of intelligence is a high compliment. Today, for the most part, "nerd" can be a term of endearment. But, there's still a tinge of negativity to the word, as though the person's not "cool."
Generous vs. Extravagant
Positive: Your gift to the foundation was too generous.
Negative: Your gift to the foundation was too extravagant.
To compliment someone's generosity is to offer high praise. If, however, you call their act of kindness extravagant, you're telling them they went too far (and that's hardly complimentary).
Fun vs. Interesting
Positive: Welp, last night was fun.
Negative: Welp, last night was… interesting.
Everyone wants to know they've offered someone a good, fun time. If, however, someone hesitates slightly and uses the word "interesting" instead of "fun," you should probably worry that something was amiss for them.
Conscious Connotation
In your speech and writing, make the conscious decision to connotate your precise meaning. Every word has a definitive definition. That's what's known as denotation. There's no room for interpretation. Meanwhile, other words have added connotations or innuendos. So it pays to think before you speak.
For more on word choice and the importance of saying what we mean, check out What's the Difference Between Connotation and Denotation. It's a great study on words as a whole and the power of language.
What Kind of Connotation Does the Word Dump Generally Have
Source: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/positive-and-negative-connotations-example-sentences.html