Merriam-Webster has announced that the word 'polarization' has been chosen as the 2024 Word of the Year. Defined as a 'division into two sharply distinct opposites,' the term saw a significant increase in search volume over the past year as Americans sought to better understand the complex state of affairs in politics and society.
The widespread use of 'polarization' in media outlets reflected the growing concern over the divisive nature of current events. Reports indicated that the 2024 US presidential election had intensified polarization in the country, while Forbes highlighted the challenge of cultural polarization in workplaces.
According to Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor at large, the selection of 'polarization' was based on data-driven analysis of word searches. He noted that the election year played a significant role in shaping the linguistic landscape, with 'polarization' emerging as a commonly used term across various contexts.
While 'polarization' claimed the top spot, other contenders for Word of the Year included 'totality,' inspired by an April solar eclipse, and 'fortnight,' a British term popularized by a Taylor Swift song.
Merriam-Webster's announcement comes after similar declarations from Oxford Dictionary, which chose 'brain rot,' and Cambridge Dictionary, which selected 'manifest' as their respective words of the year for 2024. Additionally, Dictionary.com named 'demure' as its word of the year, noting a significant increase in usage following the release of satirical makeup videos by transgender TikToker Jools Lebron.
