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

  merriam-webster-names-slop-2025-word-of-the-year.html
  Media and Entertainment on Wed, Dec 17th, 2025 by NBC 7 San Diego
      Locale: UNITED STATES

“Slop” Named Merriam‑Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year: A Look at Why It Matters

In a surprise that sparked memes, puns, and a sudden surge of tweets, Merriam‑Webster announced that the 2025 Word of the Year will be “slop.” The decision was made after an exhaustive analysis of millions of search queries, newspaper articles, social‑media posts, and the company’s own dictionary database. While the word is not entirely new—having been used in various forms for centuries—its modern, colloquial revival and the breadth of contexts in which it appears this year set it apart.

The Selection Process: From Data Mining to Decision‑Making

Merriam‑Webster’s Word of the Year is not chosen by a single editor or a small committee. Instead, it reflects a combination of quantitative data and editorial judgment. According to the organization’s spokesperson, the team pulls data from:

1. Search Engine Trends – The number of times the word appears in search queries on the Merriam‑Webster website and in other major search engines.
2. Corpus Analysis – Frequency counts from a large corpus of contemporary written texts, including news outlets, blogs, and books.
3. Social Media Monitoring – Use on platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit, with a focus on how the word is being repurposed or redefined.
4. Dictionary Usage – Inquiries about the word in the company’s dictionary and how often it is added or revised.

Once the data is gathered, editors review the word’s evolution and cultural relevance. The final decision is a balance of “popularity” and “impact.” Words that have simply been common or that have seen fleeting spikes in usage typically do not win; instead, Merriam‑Webster looks for words that have undergone significant meaning shifts or have sparked widespread public engagement.

Why “Slop” Was a Standout Choice

Historically, “slop” has been used to describe a mixture of liquid or semi‑solid substances, especially in contexts such as animal feed, waste, or kitchen leftovers. In 2025, the word took on a broader, more playful meaning that resonated with a younger, meme‑savvy audience. Several factors contributed to its rise:

• Versatility in Usage – “Slop” is used in everyday speech as a synonym for “mess” or “chaos” (e.g., “my inbox is a total slop”). It can also mean “to pour out” (e.g., “slop the wine onto the table”). This multiplicity of meanings made it a flexible tool in both formal and informal contexts.
• Pop Culture Adoption – A viral TikTok challenge featuring the phrase “slop your life” encouraged users to post short clips of themselves “slopping” their hair, makeup, or food. The challenge was so popular that it pushed the word into mainstream conversation.
• Political and Media Usage – A handful of opinion pieces and political commentaries used “slop” to describe chaotic or poorly organized events, such as “the slop of the latest conference.” The coverage amplified the word’s visibility in traditional news outlets.
• Literary Resurgence – Some contemporary authors integrated “slop” into their prose as a colloquialism. A notable example came from a New York Times‑bestselling novel where the protagonist refers to the city’s “urban slop” to describe its disordered beauty.

The Cultural Significance of “Slop”

The choice of “slop” as the Word of the Year is a reflection of a broader trend toward informal language adoption in mainstream media. Words that once were relegated to slang or niche communities are now entering everyday lexicon, blurring the line between “high” and “low” culture. Merriam‑Webster’s decision signals a recognition that language is fluid and that its evolution often mirrors the cultural zeitgeist.

Moreover, the word’s dual nature—both as a tangible, physical concept and as a metaphor for disorder—parallels the complex, sometimes chaotic, nature of modern life. In a world where information overload and constant connectivity can feel overwhelming, “slop” offers a succinct way to describe and, in some cases, humorously accept the messiness that comes with it.

How to Incorporate “Slop” Into Your Vocabulary

If you’re curious about how to use “slop” in your writing or conversation, consider these examples:

• Literal: “After the stew cooled, I had to slop the leftover broth into a compost bin.”
• Metaphorical: “The meeting turned into total slop when the agenda was thrown out the window.”
• Colloquial: “You can slop a pizza on the table if you’re in a hurry—no worries about the crumbs.”

In each case, the word’s meaning shifts subtly based on context, demonstrating its versatility.

Looking Ahead: The Legacy of the Word of the Year

Every year, Merriam‑Webster’s Word of the Year provides a snapshot of the linguistic landscape. Past selections—from “pandemic” in 2020 to “climate” in 2021—highlighted pressing global issues. “Slop” diverges from this trend by focusing on a linguistic phenomenon that captures the era’s playful, meme‑driven culture.

The organization has emphasized that the Word of the Year is not a judgment but an acknowledgment. In an interview, the company’s editor-in-chief mentioned that “slop” was chosen because it “encapsulates a moment where the internet and everyday speech collided in a way that felt both absurd and accurate.”

Where to Find More

For those interested in deeper exploration, the NBC San Diego article includes links to Merriam‑Webster’s official Word of the Year page, where you can read the dictionary definition, pronunciation guide, and usage notes. The page also references the company’s blog post explaining the selection process in more detail, offering an inside look at how they gather and analyze linguistic data.

Conclusion

“Slop” being named Merriam‑Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year is more than a quirky footnote; it is a testament to the evolving relationship between language and culture. It highlights how a simple, versatile term can capture the spirit of an age—one that thrives on humor, improvisation, and a shared sense of chaos. As the word continues to seep into everyday speech, it serves as a reminder that the most ordinary words can sometimes carry extraordinary cultural weight.