In the realm of online content, the term “slop” is commonly used to describe eerie, quirky, and obviously fabricated material. This word has gained significant popularity, earning it the prestigious title of Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year, largely due to the widespread use of generative artificial intelligence technology.
Merriam-Webster’s president, Greg Barlow, described “slop” as a highly expressive term during an exclusive interview with The Associated Press prior to the official announcement. Originally denoting soft mud in the 1700s, the term has evolved to represent things of little worth. Today, it refers to “digital content of low quality that is typically mass-produced by artificial intelligence.”
In simpler terms, Barlow explained that “slop” encompasses a range of content, including bizarre videos, tacky advertising visuals, deceptive propaganda, realistic-looking fake news, and poorly crafted AI-generated books. The advent of AI tools like Sora, capable of swiftly generating lifelike videos from text prompts, has impressed many. However, the proliferation of such content on social media platforms, often featuring manipulated images of public figures, has sparked concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and copyright issues.
Although such content has existed online for some time, its accessibility has increased significantly, leading to its utilization by various political figures for their own agendas. Recently, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash for sharing a doctored image of a popular cartoon character to justify military actions in Venezuela, drawing criticism from online communities and the original books’ publisher.
Despite evoking unease in some individuals, Barlow suggested that “slop” also symbolizes hope. The heightened interest in this term reflects a growing awareness among people regarding the prevalence of fake or substandard content, indicating a desire for authenticity and genuineness amidst the digital landscape.
Each year, Merriam-Webster selects a word that encapsulates the prevailing trends and sentiments. In the past, words like “polarization” have been chosen to reflect the prevailing social climate. The selection process involves analyzing search trends and usage data to determine the word that best embodies the spirit of the year.
In addition to “slop,” other frequently searched words in 2025 included terms like “performative,” “gerrymander,” and the enigmatic “6-7.” Though “6-7” garnered significant attention, it was deemed more of a fleeting trend rather than a defining term. Different linguistic bodies like Dictionary.com, Oxford University Press, and Cambridge Dictionary also unveiled their top words for the year, reflecting the linguistic landscape and societal interests.
Moreover, words like “tariffs,” “touch grass,” “conclave,” and the tongue-twisting “Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg” were among the notable mentions, underscoring the diverse range of linguistic phenomena that captured public attention in 2025.
