us versus them
Polarized group mentality
Us versus them describes a mindset that divides people into opposing groups—insiders and outsiders, allies and enemies.
The phrase captures tribal thinking where loyalty to one's own group defines identity and outsiders are viewed with suspicion or hostility: The campaign rhetoric was pure us versus them.
Also written as us vs. them or us-versus-them when used as a modifier: an us-versus-them mentality.
In-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- outgroupNon-members of one's group
- otheringViewing as fundamentally different
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
factionalism · echo chamber · groupthink · ideology · dogmatism · demagoguery · stereotype · prejudice
Exclusive social circle
- belongingState of fitting in
- collectiveJointly organized group
- communityCollective of connected people
- affiliationFormal organizational connection
kinship · ethnicity · nationality · culture · heritage · tradition · loyalty · allegiance
Separate into parts
- chasmDeep, steep-sided gap
- gulfPartially enclosed sea
- separationState of being apart
- partitionBarrier separating spaces
segregation · demarcation · bifurcation · dichotomy · schism · disunion · cleavage · estrangement
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
friction · tension · dispute · opposition · struggle · animosity · aggression · feud
Struggle for supremacy
- opponentsThose who compete against
- adversariesThose who oppose you
- contestOrganized competitive event
- matchupScheduled competitive pairing
face-off · showdown · duel · rematch · underdog · favorite · challengers · championship
Formal union of parties
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
teamwork · camaraderie · brotherhood · sisterhood · fellowship · comradeship · bonding · sympathy
tribalism
In-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- outgroupNon-members of one's group
- otheringViewing as fundamentally different
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
sectarianism · factionalism · echo chamber · groupthink · ideology · dogmatism · demagoguery · stereotype · prejudice · bias
ingroup
Exclusive social circle
- belongingState of fitting in
- collectiveJointly organized group
- communityCollective of connected people
affiliation · kinship · ethnicity · nationality · culture · heritage · tradition · loyalty · allegiance · solidarity
divide
Separate into parts
- chasmDeep, steep-sided gap
- gulfPartially enclosed sea
- separationState of being apart
partition · segregation · demarcation · bifurcation · dichotomy · schism · disunion · cleavage · estrangement · alienation
hostility
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
clash · friction · tension · dispute · opposition · struggle · animosity · aggression · feud · discord
competition
Struggle for supremacy
- opponentsThose who compete against
- adversariesThose who oppose you
- contestOrganized competitive event
matchup · face-off · showdown · duel · rematch · underdog · favorite · challengers · championship · playoffs
alliance
Formal union of parties
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
cooperation · teamwork · camaraderie · brotherhood · sisterhood · fellowship · comradeship · bonding · sympathy · empathy
- demagogueryrabble-rousing, fearmongering, fear mongering, scapegoating, pandering
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- populismpopulism, demagogue, demagoguery, anti-elitism, anti-establishment
- propagandapropaganda, brainwashing, disinformation, misinformation, indoctrination
- tribalismtribalism, in-group, out-group, outgroup, ingroup
- polarizationpolarizer, divide, polarized light, divisiveness, polarizing filter
us versus themunity
Wholeness through cohesion
solidarity · togetherness · common humanity · collective identity · shared purpose
us versus theminclusiveness
Quality of welcoming all
acceptance · openness · cosmopolitanism · universalism · tolerance
us versus themcooperation
Joint action toward shared aims
collaboration · partnership · alliance · mutual aid · win-win