‘Slop’ Is Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word Of The Year—and It Perfectly Captures This Cultural Moment

In a year defined by the proliferation of AI content, Merriam-Webster has officially selected “slop” as its 2025 Word of the Year. It’s a choice that feels uncomfortably accurate. Defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence,” slop encompasses the absurd videos, off-kilter ads, junky AI-written books, fake news that almost looks real, and endless talking-cat content that invaded feeds throughout this year. The Digital Deluge ------------------ The word *slop* captures a distinctly modern anxiety. The overwhelming volume of content produced today is not for quality, but for quantity. While the original sense of the word, dating to the 1700s, referred to “soft mud”, it later came to describe pig food and, more broadly, anything of little value. In 2025, *slop* carries a sharper, ironic edge. It acknowledges AI’s cultural presence while still reminding that not all AI is destined to replace human creativity. Major outlets have taken notice. *The Wall Street Journal* warned, “AI Slop Is Everywhere,” while CNET called social media an “antisocial wasteland.” Other Words That Shaped the Year -------------------------------- While slop claimed the spotlight, other terms also captured the public imagination: * Gerrymander – Renewed attention came from partisan redistricting battles, recalling its 19th-century origins: oddly shaped voting districts designed to benefit one party. * Touch Grass – Once an insult, now a call to reconnect with the real world. The phrase spiked in searches after Utah Governor Spencer Cox encouraged people to log off and “touch grass.” * Performative – Used to critique gestures made for appearance rather than substance, the term described everything from social activism to Instagram-ready matcha. * Tariff – Interest surged with early-year trade policy shifts, prompting searches about import duties and their economic implications. * Six Seven – Gen Alpha’s viral, seemingly meaningless chant, inspired by social media and music delighted younger audiences while baffling adults. (Plus, it was Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year!) * Conclave – Searches rose following Pope Francis’ passing, as the world observed the Vatican’s centuries-old process for selecting a new pope. The Joy of Language ------------------- Even in the realm of playful absurdity, Merriam-Webster noted the fascination with language itself. Case in point: Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg , or Webster Lake, which entered top search lists thanks to Roblox’s *Spelling Bee*. The lake’s viral status is a reminder that, in 2025, even the arcane can find an audience online. Capturing a Cultural Moment --------------------------- Merriam-Webster selects its Word of the Year based on search trends, highlighting the terms that resonate most with the public. In 2025, slop stands out not just as a descriptor, but as a cultural emblem. It’s a word that captures the absurdity, excess, and irony of our increasingly AI-driven digital lives. As the editors succinctly summed up, “All that content dumped on our screens, captured in just four letters.” Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/slop-is-merriam-websters-2025-word-of-the-year/