Slop Named Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year
Slop is Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2025, and the choice reflects a question many people are already asking: Why does so much online content suddenly feel cheap, repetitive, or automated? Announced on December 15, the dictionary’s decision points directly to the explosion of AI-generated media across social platforms, websites, and search results. Merriam-Webster defines “slop” as digital content of low quality, usually produced in large quantities by artificial intelligence. The term has gained traction as users struggle to separate meaningful information from endless automated noise. From AI images to synthetic videos and text, “slop” has become shorthand for a growing cultural frustration. In naming it Word of the Year, the dictionary isn’t just tracking language—it’s documenting a shift in how people experience the internet. The announcement underscores how deeply AI has reshaped daily digital life.
Credit: Jamie Grill Photography / Getty ImagesWhat Merriam-Webster Means by “Slop” in the AI Era
According to Merriam-Webster, “slop” fits alongside words like slime, sludge, and muck, evoking something messy and unpleasant. The dictionary notes that the word sounds wet and invasive, implying content that seeps everywhere and is hard to avoid. In an age of accelerating AI adoption, the term offers a way to talk about technology without panic. Instead of framing AI solely as a threat, “slop” allows for mockery and criticism. Merriam-Webster describes it as capturing a tone that is less fearful and more sarcastic. That framing resonates with online users who feel overwhelmed but also amused by how strange the internet has become. The word reflects both exhaustion and humor. It’s a linguistic pressure valve for AI anxiety.
Why “Slop” Resonated With People in 2025
Merriam-Webster president Greg Barlow called “slop” an unusually illustrative term in an interview with the Associated Press. He explained that it captures how people feel about AI as a transformative but irritating force. Many users find AI tools fascinating one moment and ridiculous the next. In 2025, that contradiction became impossible to ignore. AI systems grew more powerful, but the quality of what they produced didn’t always improve. Instead, feeds filled with similar images, recycled ideas, and shallow content. “Slop” emerged as a way to label that experience. The word stuck because it feels honest. It describes not just bad content, but the emotional response to it.
How AI Content Flooded the Internet This Year
The rise of generative AI tools has dramatically changed how content is created and shared. Platforms like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo made it easy to generate videos, images, and text at scale. As a result, AI-generated books, podcasts, songs, advertisements, and even films appeared across the web. A study published in May claimed that nearly 75% of newly published web content in the prior month involved some form of AI assistance. That statistic alarmed publishers and users alike. While automation lowered barriers to creation, it also removed many quality checks. The volume of content exploded, but originality often didn’t. This imbalance helped push “slop” into everyday conversation.
The Rise of the So-Called “Slop Economy”
As AI tools became cheaper and faster, creators and marketers rushed to exploit them. This led to what critics have labeled a “slop economy,” where speed and scale matter more than value. Websites churn out hundreds of articles a day, social feeds recycle the same visuals, and spammy videos dominate recommendation algorithms. In many cases, the goal isn’t engagement or trust, but quick monetization. Advertising systems reward volume, even when content offers little substance. The slop economy thrives on automation and weak oversight. For users, this means more scrolling and less satisfaction. For platforms, it creates a growing credibility problem.
Social Media Feeds Overrun With AI Slop
Social media has become ground zero for the slop conversation. AI-generated images, fake personalities, and recycled video formats dominate timelines. On some platforms, users struggle to tell what’s real at all. This has led to fatigue and declining trust. Many people report muting keywords or abandoning platforms altogether. Algorithms designed to boost engagement often amplify slop because it’s easy to produce and quick to consume. The result is a feedback loop that rewards quantity over quality. “Slop” has become the word people use when their feeds feel unusable. It’s a shared complaint that cuts across age groups and regions.
Why Merriam-Webster’s Choice Signals a Cultural Shift
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year is based on search data, usage trends, and cultural relevance. Choosing “slop” signals that frustration with AI content is no longer niche. It’s mainstream. The dictionary’s decision acknowledges that people aren’t just curious about AI—they’re actively pushing back against its worst outputs. Language evolves to meet social needs, and “slop” fills a gap. It gives people a quick way to express dissatisfaction without technical jargon. That accessibility helps explain why the word spread so quickly. Merriam-Webster’s recognition validates a widespread digital experience.
The Tension Between Innovation and Quality
AI remains a powerful and potentially beneficial technology. It can improve productivity, accessibility, and creativity when used thoughtfully. However, 2025 revealed what happens when innovation outpaces responsibility. Without strong editorial standards or ethical guidelines, AI tools can degrade information ecosystems. “Slop” captures that downside in a single word. It doesn’t reject AI outright, but it critiques careless use. The tension between speed and substance is now central to debates about the future of the internet. Merriam-Webster’s choice highlights that unresolved conflict. It’s a reminder that tools shape culture, but culture also pushes back.
What “Slop” Says About Trust Online
Trust is one of the biggest casualties of the slop era. When users can’t rely on what they see, skepticism becomes the default. This affects journalism, education, and commerce alike. Search engines and social platforms now face pressure to elevate original, human-made content. Google and others have publicly emphasized helpful, people-first content in response. The popularity of the word “slop” shows why those efforts matter. People want fewer shortcuts and more substance. They want information that feels intentional, not automated. The word reflects a collective demand for better standards.
A Word That Defines the Internet in 2025
By naming “slop” its Word of the Year, Merriam-Webster has captured a defining feature of 2025’s digital landscape. The term sums up exhaustion, humor, and criticism in equal measure. It acknowledges how AI reshaped the web while also spotlighting its consequences. Unlike technical labels, “slop” feels personal and visceral. That’s why it resonated so widely. As AI continues to evolve, the word may serve as a warning sign. When content loses meaning, people notice—and they name it.
