Merriam-Webster’s word of the year delivers a dismissive verdict on junk AI content

December 16, 2025

TL;DR

Merriam-Webster declared "slop" its 2025 Word of the Year.
The word "slop" now defines low-quality digital content produced in quantity by artificial intelligence.
This term reflects a cultural phenomenon of encountering AI-generated content in social media, search results, and the web.
The selection highlights growing public awareness of fake or shoddy online content.
Other dictionaries have also recognized AI's impact on language with words like "hallucinate" and "rage bait."
The historical meanings of "slop" relate to soft mud, food waste, and rubbish, aligning with its current use for unwanted material.
Independent AI researcher Simon Willison helped document the rise of the term "AI slop."
The term "slop" carries a dismissive and mocking tone towards AI, contrasting with corporate hype.
Examples of "slop" include AI-generated videos, propaganda, fake news, and AI-written books.
Distinctions exist regarding "slop," with some viewing AI-generated content as "slop" if it's mediocre and produced with less effort, and as positive augmentation if it improves upon human creation.
Content considered "slop" is often mindlessly generated and thrust upon users without their request.

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