In a decision that captures the digital zeitgeist, Merriam-Webster has officially declared "slop" as its Word of the Year for 2025. The venerable dictionary's choice reflects a significant evolution in the term's meaning, moving beyond its traditional associations with waste to define a pervasive modern phenomenon.
From Garbage to Generative AI: The New Definition
Historically, "slop" has conjured images of food scraps, refuse, or items of little value. However, the lexicographers at Merriam-Webster have now codified a contemporary interpretation that resonates with our online lives. The new primary definition for the digital age is: "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence."
The announcement, made on December 16, 2025, highlights how the word has been reclaimed to describe the flood of synthetic media clogging our feeds and screens. This includes everything from bizarre AI-generated videos and unconvincing advertising images to propagandistic text and hastily written AI books.
The Cultural Phenomenon Behind the Choice
Merriam-Webster's president, Greg Barlow, explained the selection to the Associated Press, calling the word "illustrative." He noted it is tied to the transformative, yet often frustrating, rise of AI technology. "It's something that people have found fascinating, annoying and a little bit ridiculous," Barlow stated.
The dictionary's official announcement painted a vivid picture of the "slop" that characterized 2025: absurd videos, off-kilter images, cheesy propaganda, convincing fake news, junky AI-written books, time-wasting "workslop" reports, and, notably, "lots of talking cats." As the editors succinctly put it, "People found it annoying, and people ate it up."
A significant driver of this content has been the proliferation of accessible AI video generators, allowing users to create clips in minutes from simple text prompts. At other times, "slop" refers to the sheer repetitiveness of online trends, leaving users fatigued by the constant, low-value content cycle.
A Word of Defiance and Discernment
Despite its inherently negative connotation, Barlow suggests the popularity of "slop" carries a silver lining. It signifies a growing public awareness and critical eye towards the content they consume. "They want things that are real, they want things that are genuine," he told the AP.
He framed the term as almost defiant in the face of AI's encroachment on human creativity. "When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn't seem so intelligent," Barlow added, implying that the label "slop" is a pushback against synthetic mediocrity.
The Word of the Year is selected by Merriam-Webster's editors based on a thorough analysis of data, looking at which terms have seen notable spikes in searches and usage throughout the year. While "slop" took the top spot, other words that defined the linguistic landscape of 2025 included gerrymander, touch grass, performative, tariff, conclave, and the enigmatic slang term 67.
The designation of "slop" serves as a cultural bookmark for 2025, encapsulating the collective experience of navigating an internet increasingly saturated with automated, often underwhelming, content. It's a four-letter verdict on the state of digital creativity and consumption.
