us-vs-them
Binary group thinking
Us-vs-them describes a mentality that divides the world into an in-group and an out-group, typically casting one's own side as good and the other as threatening or inferior.
The phrase usually appears as a modifier: us-vs-them thinking, an us-vs-them mentality.
It implies oversimplification—reducing complex relationships to tribal opposition.
Politics has devolved into us-vs-them tribalism.
Exclusive social circle
- outgroupNon-members of one's group
- otheringViewing as fundamentally different
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
groupthink · tribalism · clannishness · sectarianism · partisanship · loyalty · belonging · exclusion
Ongoing contest between opponents
- fansArdent admirers or coolers
- supportersPeople who back something
- opponentsThose who compete against
- teamOrganized cooperative unit
jersey · chant · stadium · derby · match · competition · victory · defeat
Hostile opposing party
- allySupportive partner
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
antagonism · hostility · warfare · battle · confrontation · aggression · defense · attack
Self derived from groups
- categorizationArranging into groups
- stereotypingOversimplified group-based judgments
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
dehumanization · scapegoat · projection · fear · distrust · suspicion · conformity · obedience
Biased toward one side
- bipartisanInvolving both major parties
- polarizedSplit into opposing factions
- left-rightSide-to-side directional pair
- baseSupporting bottom structure
opposition · rhetoric · demonization · fearmongering · demagogue · populism · nationalism · propaganda
ingroup
Exclusive social circle
- outgroupNon-members of one's group
- otheringViewing as fundamentally different
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
factionalism · groupthink · tribalism · clannishness · sectarianism · partisanship · loyalty · belonging · exclusion · identity
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- fansArdent admirers or coolers
- supportersPeople who back something
- opponentsThose who compete against
team · jersey · chant · stadium · derby · match · competition · victory · defeat · underdogs
enemy
Hostile opposing party
rivalry · antagonism · hostility · warfare · battle · confrontation · aggression · defense · attack · siege
social-identity
Self derived from groups
- categorizationArranging into groups
- stereotypingOversimplified group-based judgments
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
discrimination · dehumanization · scapegoat · projection · fear · distrust · suspicion · conformity · obedience · authority
partisan
Biased toward one side
- bipartisanInvolving both major parties
- polarizedSplit into opposing factions
- left-rightSide-to-side directional pair
base · opposition · rhetoric · demonization · fearmongering · demagogue · populism · nationalism · propaganda · scapegoating
- tribalismtribalism, in-group, out-group, outgroup, ingroup
- polarizationpolarizer, divide, polarized light, divisiveness, polarizing filter
- narrow-mindednessnarrow-mindedness, narrowness, close-mindedness, closed-mindedness, close-minded
us-vs-themunity
Wholeness through cohesion
solidarity · togetherness · common humanity · inclusivity · inclusion
us-vs-themnuance
Slight shade of difference
individualism · empathy · perspective-taking · open-mindedness · complexity
us-vs-themcosmopolitanism
Belief in shared humanity
universalism · globalism · pluralism · multiculturalism · ecumenism