Merriam-Webster Declares 'Slop' the Word of the Year as AI Eats the Web
Merriam-Webster has named “slop” its 2025 Word of the Year, reflecting widespread concern about the proliferation of low-quality, AI-generated digital content. Originally referring to unappetizing mixtures or waste, “slop” now describes online material that, while accurate and well-structured, feels superficial, repetitive, and unmistakably machine-produced. This content—ranging from articles to summaries—is grammatically correct but lacks real insight, often padded with filler, emojis, and simplistic lists. The rise of slop signals a shift from scarce, thoughtfully-created writing to automated, abundant output, leading to content saturation and reader fatigue. Debates continue over whether slop democratizes information or erodes originality, but the term encapsulates anxieties about authenticity and value in the age of AI-driven content creation.
