>[!abstract]
>A loaded question is a form of complex question that contains a controversial assumption (e.g., a presumption of guilt). Such questions may be used as a rhetorical tool: the question attempts to limit direct replies to be those that serve the questioner's agenda. The traditional example is the question "Have you stopped beating your wife?" (Wikipedia, 2025).
>[!related]
>- **North** (upstream): [[Informal fallacies]]
>- **West** (similar): [[Complex question fallacy]]
>- **East** (different): [[Straight question]] (neutral framing)
>- **South** (downstream): —