“Slop” is Merriam‑Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year — a verdict on AI‑generated junk

Merriam‑Webster has chosen “slop” as its 2025 Word of the Year, defining it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The selection captures a growing frustration with the flood of AI‑generated, low‑value content across social platforms and streaming services.

The dictionary notes that “slop” carries a mocking, messy connotation — historically referring to soft mud or pig food — making it a pointed label for material that often feels disposable or annoying. In 2025 we’ve seen everything from AI‑fabricated songs and faux interviews to repetitive low‑quality videos and automated image spams.

Where AI slop shows up

• Video platforms: automated clips, fake trailers and recycled short‑form content can dominate recommendation feeds.
• Music and audio services: AI‑generated artists and tracks that mimic real musicians have slipped into playlists.
• Social media: mass‑produced novelty clips (many featuring animals or shallow memes) proliferate because they drive views.

How platforms and users are pushing back

Some platforms are adding controls to reduce the amount of AI‑generated content in users’ feeds, while others are testing detection and removal tools. Examples include TikTok and Pinterest adding toggles to limit AI content and streaming services tightening ingestion and verification processes.

Still, detection is imperfect and quality controls often lag behind the speed at which AI tools can produce content. That means individual users, curators and platforms will likely need to combine better tools, clearer labeling and user preferences to reclaim feed quality.

Other words Merriam‑Webster highlighted

Alongside “slop,” the dictionary called attention to other culturally relevant words for 2025, like “gerrymander,” “touch grass,” “performative,” “tariff,” “conclave” and “six seven,” reflecting a range of political, social and internet‑native language trends.

For the original definition and commentary, see Merriam‑Webster’s announcement: Merriam‑Webster.

Discussion: Do you think “slop” captures 2025’s biggest content problem — or is it just the start of a new vocabulary for AI era frustrations? How do you filter low‑quality AI content from your feeds?