11 Examples of Liberal, Biased Media Changing Their Vocabulary To Slant Their Stories

Articles and stories have an insidious undercurrent of vocabulary changes that shift meaning, nudging readers toward a specific worldview.

The War on Words

Words matter. They shape how we see the world, and when the media swaps clear terms for softer, vaguer ones, it’s not just semantics—it’s manipulation. This isn’t about sloppy writing; it’s a deliberate tactic to reframe issues, dodge accountability, and push a narrative that often excuses bad policy or behavior. As taxpayers and citizens, we deserve straightforward language that respects our ability to think critically, not euphemisms that obscure the truth. Below are eleven examples of how the media’s word choices tilt the playing field, undermining honest debate.

1. Undocumented Immigrant vs. Illegal Alien

“Undocumented immigrant” downplays the crime of crossing borders unlawfully, framing it as a paperwork issue rather than a violation of national sovereignty that burdens public resources.

2. Gender-Affirming Procedures vs. Sex Change Operation

“Gender-affirming procedures” casts irreversible surgeries as essential healthcare, sidestepping the reality of elective, life-altering operations that taxpayers are often asked to fund.

3. Equity vs. Equality

Swapping “equity” for “equality” pushes government-mandated outcomes over fair treatment under the law, justifying bloated bureaucracies to enforce unequal standards.

4. Justice-Involved Individual vs. Criminal

Calling someone “justice-involved” erases the accountability of “criminal,” softening consequences for lawbreakers and shifting blame to the system that protects society.

5. Reproductive Rights vs. Abortion Rights

“Reproductive rights” cloaks abortion in a vague, feel-good term, dodging the moral weight of ending unborn life while inflating the government’s role in personal choices.

6. Unhoused vs. Homeless

“Unhoused” frames homelessness as a systemic failure, ignoring personal responsibility or the role of unchecked urban policies that enable vagrancy and strain public services.

7. Food Insecurity vs. Hunger

“Food insecurity” abstracts the raw reality of hunger, pushing a narrative of structural flaws over practical solutions like economic growth that empower individuals.

8. Incarcerated Person vs. Prisoner

“Incarcerated person” humanizes those convicted of crimes, downplaying the punitive purpose of prison and the need for justice to deter lawlessness.

9. Affordable Housing vs. Low-Income Housing

“Affordable housing” sugarcoats government-subsidized projects, masking their tie to low-income communities and the fiscal burden they place on taxpayers.

10. Healthcare Access vs. Medical Care

“Healthcare access” emphasizes systemic barriers to excuse bloated programs, while “medical care” focuses on the service individuals seek without government overreach.

11. Racial Equity vs. Racial Equality

“Racial equity” demands tailored outcomes to fix past wrongs, often at the expense of fairness, while “racial equality” upholds consistent standards for all.

So, Does It Matter?

Is it any wonder why so many center-right folks—and even moderates—have ditched mainstream news? Trust crumbles when every story drips with carefully curated terms designed to nudge readers toward a worldview that excuses inefficiency, inflates the government’s role, and obscures personal responsibility. We’re not idiots; we see through the linguistic sleight-of-hand. We want facts, not narratives dressed up as journalism. If the media plays these word games, they’ll lose readers who value truth over ideology. It’s frustrating but also a call to demand better—because our wallets, our communities, and our country deserve it.

P.S. It’s really sad when you read a news story where it is clear that the writer did everything they could to present a balanced story — but then the story is slanted because that writer is basically forced to use these biased words.