Introducing Merriam-Webster’s Word for 2025: ‘Slop’

Throughout 2025, some of the internet's top platforms grappled with an invasion of AI-produced low-quality content, often dubbed as 'slop.'

Merriam-Webster declared the word 'slop' as its choice for 2025. This term describes content that is both digitally generated and subpar, typically mass-produced through artificial intelligence. The widespread creation of such content has become a familiar concern as it saturates online spaces.

Digital Giants Taking Sides

Throughout the year, leading websites like YouTube, Wikipedia, Spotify, and Pinterest sought to counteract the flood of AI-produced 'slop.' Conversely, some companies such as Meta and OpenAI seized the opportunity, launching applications dedicated to AI-generated video content that's designed for easy discovery and sharing. Even entertainment giant Disney has aligned itself with this trend, investing significantly in the creators of these AI technologies.

A Message for Artificial Intelligence

According to Merriam-Webster, like the words 'slime,' 'sludge,' and 'muck,' 'slop' carries an unpleasant auditory quality, evoking something most would prefer to avoid. It sends a subtle note to AI: despite ambitions of replicating human ingenuity, true intelligence still stands apart.

In addition to 'slop,' the year 2025 saw other terminologies gain traction, including expressions like 'touch grass,' 'tariff,' 'performative,' and 'gerrymander,' each reflecting the year's shifting linguistic landscape.