Merriam-Webster is another dictionary linking its word of the year to how we’re dealing with tech these days. For 2025, they picked slop to describe crummy digital stuff made in bulk, usually with help from AI.
They define slop as low-quality digital content…produced in quantity by artificial intelligence, such as weird videos, talking animal clips, and AI-written books.
This pick shows everyone is uneasy about how tech and AI are changing things. Other dictionaries did something similar this year, like Collins with vibe coding, Cambridge with parasocial, and Oxford with rage bait. They all point to worries that digital platforms are messing with how we act and what we pay attention to.
The word slop has been around for a while. In the 1700s, it meant soft mud. In the 1800s, it meant food waste. Now, it’s general trash or something worthless, according to Merriam-Webster. The dictionary said that how people use the word now gets different reactions.
“People found it annoying, and people ate it up,” they said, pointing out that the word can be pretty mocking. “The word sends a little message to AI: sometimes you don’t seem too superintelligent when it comes to replacing human creativity, they added.
The editors had a few other words in mind. One was gerrymander, which means redrawing voting lines to help a certain group. It popped up a lot in the US because of all the redistricting fights.
Another option was touch grass, which is telling people to get off the internet and go outside. It used to be an insult, but Merriam-Webster said it’s become something people want to do as they try to cut down on screen time.
Performative was also a contender. The dictionary says it means doing things just to show off, usually to look better. It was often used with stuff like the performative male, a guy who acts the way he thinks others want him to.
In the last few years, Merriam-Webster’s picks have shown how society is changing. In 2024, polarization showed how divided US politics and society are. And in 2023, it was authentic, which generated a lot of buzz amid discussions about AI, identity, celebrity culture, and social media.
