A comprehensive guide to extremist lingo, publications & tactics from ADL Center on Extremism
New York, NY, March 24, 2022 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today launched an online Glossary of Extremism, a first-of-its-kind interactive and searchable database providing comprehensive definitions of commonly known and more obscure terms employed by a variety of groups and movements across the extremism landscape.
The ADL Glossary of Extremism defines nearly 900 terms and concepts used by a wide variety of extremist groups and movements, including white supremacists, antisemites, Islamist extremists and single-issue extremists such as ecoterrorists and incels. It is the latest innovation from the ADL Center on Extremism, joining a body of online research tools at the cutting edge of exposing hate, including its online database of hate symbols and the ADL H.E.A.T. Map.
ADL Center on Extremism experts will regularly update the glossary and add new definitions as extremist terminology evolves. The glossary’s homepage features definitions of groups and terms currently in the news, which now includes such groups as the Goyim Defense League, Patriot Front, White Lives Matter, Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
“Many extremist groups have developed their own nomenclature and language to communicate, and the public is often not familiar with many of the terms they and their followers are using,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “This glossary pulls back the curtain to reveal the meaning behind these names and concepts, giving the public, the media and law enforcement insight into hundreds of terms, ideologies and conspiracy theories embraced by domestic extremists. It also provides a Who’s Who of the key figures involved in spreading hate.”
“We believe that an informed public is critical to the defense of democracy,” said Oren Segal, Vice President of the ADL Center on Extremism. “Our glossary provides the public with critical, factual and accurate assessments of the conspiracy theories and disinformation currently espoused and championed by extremists. We believe it is the most comprehensive and intuitive resource on extremist speech currently available to the public.”
The Glossary is a fully searchable database with filters for category and ideology. It covers conspiracy theories, movements, extremist events, and definitions. Ideologies covered include antisemitism, anti-government extremism, Islamist, left wing extremism, right wing extremism, single issue movements and white supremacy.