The Latest Breaking News from Peter Sokolowski

‘Polarization’ is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year: ‘Something everyone agrees on’

The premier US dictionary’s pick, based on search traffic, reflects a year of political and celebrity division

The Guardian - US · Dec 9, 2024

Merriam-Webster sums up 2024

Demure came close but was beaten out by a descriptor of one of the most tense election years in recent history

Salon · Dec 9, 2024

Merriam-Webster announces ‘polarisation’ as 2024 word of the year

The term has been most frequently used in the US before elections to describe race relations, politics, ideology.

Al Jazeera · Dec 9, 2024

Gaslighting is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2022

American dictionary calls term ‘a word for our time’ in an age of fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Al Jazeera · Nov 28, 2022

2022 word of the year is ‘gaslighting,’ says Merriam-Webster

Following close behind are “queen consort,” “oligarch,” “omicron” and “codify.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 28, 2022

'Gaslighting' chosen as word of the year for 2022 by dictionary

Searches for the word, which refers to a form of psychological coercion, increased 1,740% on merriam-webster.com this year

Wales Online · Nov 28, 2022

It's no trick; Merriam-Webster says 'gaslighting' is the word of the year

Online searches for the word "gaslighting" on merriam-webster.com increased 1,740% in 2022 over the year before, leading the reference publishing company to name it the word of the year.

WEKU · Nov 28, 2022

What headline? 'Gaslighting' Merriam-Webster's word of 2022

Merriam-Webster has chosen “gaslighting” as its word of the year for 2022

The Independent UK · Nov 28, 2022

Happy hygge! Scrabble dictionary adds hundreds of words

Here’s the sitch, Scrabble stans

The Independent UK · Nov 16, 2022