Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

The Independent UK

Anna Furman

Merriam-Webster names its word of the year — but what does it mean?

Merriam-Webster has named "slop" as its 2025 Word of the Year, reflecting the widespread impact of generative artificial intelligence.
The term refers to low-quality digital content, often produced in large quantities by AI, encompassing absurd videos, fake news, and junky AI-written books.
Merriam-Webster's president, Greg Barlow, highlighted that the word illustrates public fascination, annoyance, and concern regarding AI-generated material.
The choice of "slop" suggests an increased public awareness of fake or shoddy content and a growing desire for genuine and authentic information.
Other significant words considered for 2025 included "6-7", "performative", "gerrymander", "touch grass", "conclave", and "tariffs".

IN FULL

Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year is 'slop'

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

MIT grieves shooting death of renowned director of plasma science center

MIT grieves shooting death of renowned director of plasma science center

Nuno FG Loureiro, 47, was shot multiple times at his home, and no details about a suspect or motive have been released

The Guardian - US

Bondi Beach attacker was originally from India, police confirm

Bondi Beach attacker was originally from India, police confirm

Sajid Akram moved to Australia in 1998 and maintained ‘limited contact’ with his family in Telangana

The Independent UK

Absenteeism rates at a Texas school system soared when a measles outbreak hit

Absenteeism rates at a Texas school system soared when a measles outbreak hit

When a measles outbreak hit West Texas earlier this year, school absences surged to levels far beyond the number of children who likely became sick as students were excluded or kept home by their families to minimize the spread of the disease

The Independent UK

Investigators release additional video of possible Brown gunman as search continues

Investigators release additional video of possible Brown gunman as search continues

Authorities are asking the public for any footage they might have of the gunman who fatally shot two students and wounded nine others at Brown University

The Independent UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

UK to hold inquiry into foreign financial interference in domestic politics

UK to hold inquiry into foreign financial interference in domestic politics

Review, which will focus on effectiveness of political finance laws, follows conviction of former Reform politician for accepting bribes

The Guardian - UK

Elon Musk’s X wins appeal to lift block on Australians seeing Charlie Kirk shooting footage

Elon Musk’s X wins appeal to lift block on Australians seeing Charlie Kirk shooting footage

In successful challenge, X argued the video wasn’t excessively offensive and was an objective record of a ‘public event of historical and political significance’

The Guardian - AU

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

MIT grieves shooting death of renowned director of plasma science center

MIT grieves shooting death of renowned director of plasma science center

Nuno FG Loureiro, 47, was shot multiple times at his home, and no details about a suspect or motive have been released

The Guardian - US

Bondi Beach attacker was originally from India, police confirm

Bondi Beach attacker was originally from India, police confirm

Sajid Akram moved to Australia in 1998 and maintained ‘limited contact’ with his family in Telangana

The Independent UK

Absenteeism rates at a Texas school system soared when a measles outbreak hit

Absenteeism rates at a Texas school system soared when a measles outbreak hit

When a measles outbreak hit West Texas earlier this year, school absences surged to levels far beyond the number of children who likely became sick as students were excluded or kept home by their families to minimize the spread of the disease

The Independent UK

Investigators release additional video of possible Brown gunman as search continues

Investigators release additional video of possible Brown gunman as search continues

Authorities are asking the public for any footage they might have of the gunman who fatally shot two students and wounded nine others at Brown University

The Independent UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

UK to hold inquiry into foreign financial interference in domestic politics

UK to hold inquiry into foreign financial interference in domestic politics

Review, which will focus on effectiveness of political finance laws, follows conviction of former Reform politician for accepting bribes

The Guardian - UK

Elon Musk’s X wins appeal to lift block on Australians seeing Charlie Kirk shooting footage

Elon Musk’s X wins appeal to lift block on Australians seeing Charlie Kirk shooting footage

In successful challenge, X argued the video wasn’t excessively offensive and was an objective record of a ‘public event of historical and political significance’

The Guardian - AU

Our Picks

55 Of The Most Ridiculous Ways People Had Their Food Served In Restaurants

From burgers balanced on bricks to pasta dumped straight onto cutting boards, these photos showcase restaurants that took “presentation” a step too far. What was meant to be quirky quickly became confusing, messy, and mildly infuriating, proof that plates exist for a very good reason.

The inexorable rise of voice notes: ‘I’m thinking of you – I just don’t want to speak to you’

Britons now send an average of 58 hours’ worth of these messages a year. But what about the recipients who are experiencing ‘voice note fatigue’?

The Guardian - UK

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Leak Confirmed: Punisher and Hulk Join the Fight With Sadie Sink

Leaked trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day reveals Tom Holland's return and a new role for Sadie Sink. Read about the plot details.

International Business Times UK

“We hadn’t rehearsed. We weren’t used to playing acoustic. We did a few rehearsals and they were terrible”: Why everyone involved in Nirvana's MTV Unplugged appearance was expecting a disaster

We look back on the broadcast, 32 years after it first aired.

The first teaser for Avengers: Doomsday has leaked online — and it contains a massive spoiler about the new Marvel movie

Marvel is fighting to keep details about Avengers: Doomsday's four teasers under wraps after a major leak.

NXT Superstars Suggest WWE 2K26 Scan, Raising Questions about Darkstate

Will the NXT faction be in WWE 2K26?

Operation Sports

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play