Key Takeaways
- Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2025 is "slop", defined as digital content of low quality produced by artificial intelligence
- The word reflects the abundance of low-quality content on social media, including absurd videos, propaganda, and fake news
- Other notable words and phrases for 2025 include "gerrymander", "touch grass", and "performative"
- Oxford University Press’ word of the year is "rage bait", defined as online content designed to elicit anger or outrage
- The selection of words of the year is based on spikes in search data and reflects current events and trends
Introduction to the Word of the Year
The year 2025 has been marked by a plethora of high-profile news stories and internet trends, and Merriam-Webster has chosen a word that sums it all up: "slop". The dictionary publisher defines "slop" as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence". This word reflects the abundance of low-quality content that has invaded people’s social media feeds, including absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, and fake news that looks pretty real. The company notes that the English language has once again come through to provide a concise and accurate description of the current state of affairs.
Notable Words and Phrases
In addition to "slop", Merriam-Webster’s editors have also highlighted several other words and phrases that stood out in 2025. These include "gerrymander", "touch grass", "performative", "tariff", and "conclave". The company also gave a shoutout to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, an alternative name for Webster Lake in Massachusetts, which began appearing in the most-searched list of words on merriam-webster.com thanks to its appearance in the online gaming world Roblox. These words and phrases reflect the diverse range of topics and trends that have been prominent in 2025, from politics and social issues to technology and popular culture.
Methodology and Comparison
Merriam-Webster’s word of the year selection is based largely on spikes in search data, which often means that its annual pick is tied to current events. This approach has been used in previous years, such as in 2020 and 2021 when the respective words were "pandemic" and "vaccine". In contrast, Oxford University Press, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, has taken a different approach recently by incorporating public input and analyzing data to determine its word of the year. This year, Oxford selected "rage bait", defined as "online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage". The three-day voting process drew more than 30,000 votes, according to Oxford University Press.
Oxford University Press’ Word of the Year
Oxford University Press’ word of the year, "rage bait", reflects the current state of online discourse and the ways in which content is designed to elicit strong emotions. The publisher notes that the use of "rage bait" has evolved to signal a deeper shift in how we talk about attention, engagement, and ethics online. This word is particularly relevant in 2025, given the dominance of social unrest, debates about the regulation of online content, and concerns over digital wellbeing. Oxford University Press’ word of 2024 was "brain rot", which it defined as the "supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging".
Conclusion and Reflection
The selection of "slop" and "rage bait" as the words of the year for 2025 reflects the complexities and challenges of the current digital landscape. The abundance of low-quality content and the deliberate design of content to elicit strong emotions are both issues that require careful consideration and reflection. As we move forward in 2025 and beyond, it is essential to think critically about the information we consume and the ways in which we engage with online content. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more nuanced and informed online discourse, and mitigate the negative effects of "slop" and "rage bait" on our digital wellbeing.