option
Home
News
Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word of the Year is 'slop'

Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word of the Year is 'slop'

February 19, 2026
105

Merriam-Webster

One of America's leading dictionaries has taken note of AI's growing influence on social media feeds. Amid the flood of online content over the past year, Merriam-Webster declared "slop" its 2025 Word of the Year this Sunday.

The dictionary defines the term as "low-quality digital content, typically mass-produced using artificial intelligence."

"Like slime, sludge, and muck, slop carries the messy, unpleasant connotation of something you'd rather avoid. It seeps into every corner," the dictionary explains, noting that in this era of AI concerns, the word strikes "a tone that's less fearful and more dismissive" toward the technology.

"It's such a descriptive term," Merriam-Webster's president, Greg Barlow, shared with The Associated Press. "It's connected to transformative AI technology—something people find intriguing, frustrating, and somewhat absurd."

The term "slop" has gained widespread use this year as journalists and commentators describe how platforms like OpenAI’s Sora and Google Gemini’s Veo are reshaping the internet. Thanks to these new media generators, we now see AI-created books, podcasts, pop songs, commercials—even full-length films. A May study suggested that nearly 75% of new web content from the previous month involved some form of AI.

These tools have spurred what's being called a "slop economy," where large volumes of AI-generated content are monetized through advertising. Critics argue this trend is deepening divides in online communities, separating those who can access premium, high-quality content from those limited to a diet of "slop"—which, as you might guess, offers little informational substance.

But "slop" also describes AI's effect on fields beyond traditional media, including cybersecurity reports, legal documents, and academic essays. Its reach is undeniably broad.

In a related trend, tech-related terms dominated this year's Word of the Year selections. Macquarie Dictionary named "AI slop" its top pick, while Oxford Dictionary chose "ragebait." Collins Dictionary went with "vibe coding."

Related article
Apple Smart Glasses Could Debut at WWDC27, Highlighting Privacy Protection Apple Smart Glasses Could Debut at WWDC27, Highlighting Privacy Protection Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s smart glasses, codenamed N50, are slated for a WWDC27 debut in June 2027, with a retail launch expected in autumn 2027. Originally targeted for late this year and early 2027, the device’s release has been
Inside Details Exposed About Next-Gen Gemini: Strained Computing Power, Internal Teams Disagreed on Development Priorities and Resource Allocation Inside Details Exposed About Next-Gen Gemini: Strained Computing Power, Internal Teams Disagreed on Development Priorities and Resource Allocation Reports indicate that the launch of Google’s highly anticipated next-generation Gemini model has been pushed back. Internal disagreements over development priorities and resource allocation, combined with limited computing capacity and complex approv
OpenAI Dismisses Growth Slowdown Concerns, Says Multiple Business Units Accelerating OpenAI Dismisses Growth Slowdown Concerns, Says Multiple Business Units Accelerating In response to external scrutiny regarding decelerating sales growth and missed internal benchmarks, AI leader OpenAI issued a confident statement on Tuesday, April 28. The company clarified that its consumer products and enterprise services are adva
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Data Analysis AI SQL Copilots for Revenue Dashboards, Funnel Analysis, and Product Metrics
AI SQL Copilots for Revenue Dashboards, Funnel Analysis, and Product Metrics

2026 Latest Best AI SQL Copilots Ranked Top-Rated! XIX.AI curates a powerful game-changing collection for weekly updated real-world tests. These must-try tools help you generate accurate revenue dashboards, analyze sales funnels, and track product metrics swiftly, boosting productivity massively. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for data-driven decision making! 238 characters

9 tools
xix.ai
Music composition Best AI Melody Writing Tools for Song Drafts
Best AI Melody Writing Tools for Song Drafts

2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Melody Writing Tools for Song Drafts! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection that goes through rigorous real-world tests to deliver the best writing experience. You can find detailed free vs paid comparisons, accurate rankings, and must-try options designed to help you create stunning song drafts effortlessly and boost your creative productivity significantly. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!

8 tools
xix.ai
chatbot Best AI Conversation Trainer Tools for Interview Practice
Best AI Conversation Trainer Tools for Interview Practice

2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Conversation Trainer Tools for Interview Practice are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests to deliver accurate feedback. You’ll find a free vs paid comparison and detailed rankings to help you choose the must-try option that boosts your confidence and skills. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for interview success!

12 tools
xix.ai
Design & Art Best AI Style Transfer Tools for Creative Experiments
Best AI Style Transfer Tools for Creative Experiments

2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Style Transfer Tools for Creative Experiments! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try tools that deliver exceptional results through real-world tests and rigorous rankings. These top solutions help creatives boost productivity significantly by accelerating content creation and unlocking endless creative possibilities. Explore now to discover your perfect tool and start creating today!

9 tools
xix.ai
Comic Creation Best AI Dialogue Bubble Tools for Visual Storytelling
Best AI Dialogue Bubble Tools for Visual Storytelling

2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Dialogue Bubble Tools for Visual Storytelling are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing tools that help creators boost productivity and overcome creative bottlenecks. Get a free vs paid comparison, see real-world tests, and check the latest rankings to find the must-try solutions perfect for crafting engaging visual narratives. Explore now to discover your ideal tool!

10 tools
xix.ai
Meeting Assistant Top AI Meeting Summary Tools: Track Decisions and Follow-Ups Clearly
Top AI Meeting Summary Tools: Track Decisions and Follow-Ups Clearly

2026 Latest Top-Rated Best AI Meeting Summary Tools for Clear Decision Tracking and Effortless Follow-Ups. This curated list showcases powerful, game-changing solutions that boost productivity dramatically by automating meeting notes, identifying key action items, and streamlining team coordination across all projects. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings to help you find the perfect tool. Explore now to unlock your AI edge!

9 tools
xix.ai
Comments (1)
0/500
PaulGonzalez
PaulGonzalez May 14, 2026 at 10:00:14 PM EDT

Das Wort des Jahres ist 'slop'? Interessant, wie die Sprache auf technologische Entwicklungen reagiert. Es erinnert mich an die endlosen, oft sinnlosen KI-generierten Inhalte, die man überall sieht. Manchmal frage ich mich, ob wir in einer Ära der digitalen 'Füllmasse' leben. 🤔 Die Definition als 'low-quality' Content trifft den Nagel auf den Kopf. Hoffentlich macht uns das bewusster, was wir konsumieren und teilen.

OR