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Merriam-Webster Crowns “Slop” as 2025 Word of the Year, Highlighting AI’s Impact on Digital Content
SPRINGFIELD, MA – In a world increasingly saturated with bizarre and often fabricated online content, Merriam-Webster has declared “slop” as its 2025 Word of the Year. The term, which has seen a surge in popularity thanks to the widespread availability of generative artificial intelligence, reflects a growing awareness of low-quality digital material.
“It’s such an illustrative word,” remarked Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster’s president, in an exclusive interview. “It’s part of a transformative technology, AI, and it’s something that people have found fascinating, annoying and a little bit ridiculous.”
While “slop” historically referred to soft mud and later anything of little value, its modern definition has expanded to encompass “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” This includes everything from “absurd videos, weird advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks real, [and] junky AI-written digital books,” Barlow explained.
The proliferation of such content is not entirely new, but the accessibility of AI tools has amplified its reach and even its use in political discourse. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently garnered attention for posting a manipulated image of the beloved cartoon character Franklin as a grenade-wielding fighter to defend U.S. military actions in Venezuela. This reimagining of a character known for promoting kindness and empathy highlights the concerning potential for AI-generated “slop” to be used for manipulative purposes.
A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the “Slop”
Despite the negative connotations, Barlow sees a silver lining in the rise of “slop.” He believes the increased searches for the word indicate a heightened public awareness of fake and shoddy content, suggesting a desire for authentic and genuine experiences.
“They want things that are real, they want things that are genuine,” Barlow stated. “It’s almost a defiant word when it comes to AI. When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn’t seem so intelligent.”
Merriam-Webster’s selection process involves analyzing search data and usage trends to identify a word that best encapsulates the spirit of the year. The dictionary has been making these annual selections since 2003, with past choices like “polarization” reflecting significant societal shifts.
The Runners-Up: A Glimpse into the Cultural Zeitgeist
Several other words made Merriam-Webster’s shortlist for 2025, each offering a unique window into current cultural trends:
- Six seven: This viral social media term, with an unclear meaning stemming from a 2024 rap song, highlights the power of internet inside jokes.
- Performative: Often used to describe disingenuous individuals or actions, particularly in online spaces, this word reflects a growing scrutiny of authenticity.
- Gerrymandering: The enduring practice of redrawing electoral districts for partisan advantage continues to be a hot topic in U.S. politics.
- “Touch grass”: This popular internet phrase, urging individuals to disengage from digital life and reconnect with the real world, speaks to a broader desire for digital detox.
- Conclave: The centuries-old process of electing a pope saw a surge in searches after the 2024 film and the historic election of the first American pope in May 2025.
- Tariffs: Amidst ongoing trade wars and economic debates, this term for government-imposed duties on imported goods remains highly relevant.
- Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg: This incredibly long Massachusetts lake name, which delighted and baffled dictionary editors due to its appearance in a Roblox game, proves that even the most obscure terms can capture public attention.
Other Dictionaries Weigh In
Merriam-Webster isn’t alone in its linguistic observations. Dictionary.com crowned “67” (six seven) as its word of the year, emphasizing the impact of a new generation on the English language. Meanwhile, the Oxford University Press selected “rage bait,” highlighting the growing awareness of manipulative online content designed to provoke anger and outrage.
These selections collectively underscore a fascinating moment in language and culture, where the digital landscape and its influence on our interactions, emotions, and understanding of reality are becoming increasingly evident.