The term 'slop' has made its way into the digital lexicon, referring to the low-quality content often found on the internet, especially content created by AI tools. In 2025, Merriam-Webster has named it the word of the year, emphasizing the intriguing and problematic nature of artificial intelligence in content generation.
Greg Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster, highlighted the significance of the term in connection with the transformative effects of AI technology. He stated, 'It’s such an illustrative word. It’s part of a transformative technology, AI, and it’s something that people have found fascinating, annoying and a little bit ridiculous.'
This interpretation of 'slop' aligns with broader concerns regarding digital misinformation, as AI-generated images and videos have become prevalent, raising fears about the authenticity of online content. The phrase captures everything from absurd memes to misleading digital narratives.
Originally, 'slop' referred to soft mud in the 1700s but has since evolved to signify digital creations that lack substance or value. Merriam-Webster's editors selected this word based on rising search trends and discussions surrounding artificial intelligence.
Barlow noted a cultural shift, suggesting that people are beginning to demand genuine content amidst the overflow of slop. 'It’s almost a defiant word when it comes to AI. When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn’t seem so intelligent,' he explained.
The selection process for words of the year involves examining commonly searched terms that reflect significant societal trends.
Other notable terms considered this year included ' six-seven', 'performative', and 'touch grass', each capturing specific cultural phenomena around digital life and social media engagement.
