Merriam-Webster Names 'Slop' as 2025 Word of the Year

December 16, 2025
Merriam-Webster has chosen 'slop' as its 2025 Word of the Year, defining it as low-quality digital content produced by artificial intelligence. The term reflects the widespread presence of AI-generated media across the internet.

The dictionary announced on its website that 'slop' is the 2025 Word of the Year, defining it as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence." The term has become widely used to describe AI-generated material flooding social media, online news, and entertainment platforms.

According to Merriam-Webster, the word captures the mix of fascination and frustration surrounding AI content. Examples of so-called "slop" include offbeat videos, misleading images, and low-effort text generated by AI tools. The dictionary noted that the term conveys a tone that is less fearful and more mocking toward the technology.

The word's usage expanded in 2025 as generative AI systems produced large volumes of content across industries. Other dictionaries also selected technology-related terms: Macquarie chose "AI slop," Oxford picked "ragebait," and Collins went with "vibe coding."

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