Key Takeaways:
- The word "slop" has been named Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year due to its increased usage and relevance in the digital age.
- The term "slop" refers to digital content of low quality that is produced in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.
- The rise of generative AI has led to an increase in "slop" content, including deepfakes, fake news, and junky AI-written digital books.
- Merriam-Webster’s word of the year selection reflects the current moment and is chosen based on search results and usage.
- Other notable words that made the top list include "doot doot," "performative male," "gerrymandering," "irl," "conclave," "tariff," and "Webster Lake."
Introduction to Slop
The word "slop" has been named Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year, and it’s not hard to see why. The term, which originally referred to soft mud, has evolved to mean something of little value, and in the digital age, it’s come to describe the low-quality content that’s produced in quantity by artificial intelligence. According to Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster’s president, "slop" is an illustrative word that reflects the transformative technology of AI and the fascination, annoyance, and ridiculousness that comes with it.
The Evolution of Slop
The definition of "slop" has expanded to include digital content such as absurd videos, weird advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks real, and junky AI-written digital books. This type of content has existed online for years, but the tools to create it are now more accessible and are being used to political ends by figures such as the head of the Pentagon. The rise of AI video generators like Sora has also contributed to the proliferation of "slop" content, with many social media users creating and sharing fake or manipulated videos and images.
The Impact of Slop
The word "slop" may evoke unpleasant images, but it also brings a sense of hope, according to Barlow. The spike in searches for the word reflects that people have grown more aware of fake or shoddy content and desire the inverse. People want things that are real, genuine, and authentic, and the word "slop" has become a way to describe the opposite of that. The dictionary’s editors review data about which words have risen in search results and usage to select the word of the year, and "slop" was the clear winner in 2025.
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year Selection
Merriam-Webster has been selecting a word of the year since 2003, and the process involves reviewing data and coming to a consensus about which word best reflects the span of the year. The dictionary’s editors filter out words that are consistently looked up but don’t necessarily define the year at hand. Last year, the word "polarization" was chosen, and this year, "slop" takes the top spot. The dictionary has also added over 5,000 new words to its latest edition, including "doot doot," "performative male," and "irl."
Other Notable Words
Other words that made the top list include "doot doot," a viral term with an unclear meaning, "performative male," a term that describes a disingenuous guy who pretends to like things women like, and "gerrymandering," a term that refers to the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries for political gain. The word "irl" (in real life) was also a contender for word of the year, as it’s used to describe the aspiration for many people to take a break from their digital addiction. Other notable words include "conclave," "tariff," and "Webster Lake," which all saw significant spikes in searches and usage in 2025.
Conclusion
The word "slop" may seem like a strange choice for word of the year, but it reflects the current moment and the impact of artificial intelligence on our digital lives. As we move forward in the digital age, it’s likely that we’ll see more and more "slop" content, and it’s up to us to be aware of it and to seek out authentic and genuine information. Merriam-Webster’s word of the year selection is a reminder of the power of language to shape our understanding of the world and to reflect the times in which we live.