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Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster

Free daily dose of word power from Merriam-Webster"s experts

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00:01:59

rationale

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/18

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 18, 2025 is: rationale • \rash-uh-NAL\ • noun Rationale refers to an explanation or reason for something said or done. It is often used with for, behind, or of. // City council members who oppose the zoning change should be ready to explain their rationale for voting against it. // She’s explained the rationale behind her early retirement. See the entry > Examples: “There is a rationale

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00:01:59

jovial

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/17

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 17, 2025 is: jovial • \JOH-vee-ul\ • adjective Jovial describes people as well as moods, attitudes, etc., that are cheerful and jolly. // The audience was in a jovial mood as the headlining comedian walked onto the stage. See the entry > Examples: "Transport yourself to a sumptuous hidden garden somewhere in Europe, where the meats are plentiful and the specials oh so tantalizing. The

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00:01:33

debunk

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/16

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 16, 2025 is: debunk • \dee-BUNK\ • verb To debunk something (such as a belief or theory) is to show that it is not true. // The influencer remained enormously popular despite having the bulk of their health claims thoroughly debunked. See the entry > Examples: “Conspiracy theorists (and those of us who argue with them have the scars to show for it) often maintain that the ones debunking

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00:01:43

askance

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/15

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 15, 2025 is: askance • \uh-SKANSS\ • adverb Askance means "in a way that shows a lack of trust or approval" or "with a side-glance." // I couldn't help but look askance at the dealer's assurances that the car had never been in an accident. // Several people eyed them askance when they walked into the room. See the entry > Examples: "In other cultures they might look askance at such a

en-us

00:02:21

perpetuity

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/14

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 14, 2025 is:perpetuity • \per-puh-TOO-uh-tee\ • noun Perpetuity refers to a state of continuing forever or for a very long time. // The property will be passed on from generation to generation in perpetuity. See the entry > Examples: “This isn’t new territory for the band—beginning with 2018’s Modern Meta Physic, Peel Dream Magazine have taken cues from bands like Stereolab and Pram,

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00:01:57

consummate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/13

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 13, 2025 is: consummate • \KAHN-suh-mut\ • adjective Someone or something described as consummate is very skilled or accomplished. Consummate can also mean “of the highest degree” and “complete in every detail.” The adjective is always used before the noun it describes. // Ever the consummate professional, the planner ensured that no one attending the event was aware of all the elements that had not gone

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00:01:48

flummox

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/12

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 12, 2025 is:flummox • \FLUM-uks\ • verb To flummox someone is to confuse or perplex them. // The actor was easily flummoxed by last-minute changes to the script. See the entry > Examples: “If Thursday crosswords flummox you, remember that it’s much better for your stress level to do your best and sharpen your skills than to become angry because you aren’t sure what’s going on.” — Deb

en-us

00:02:06

zoomorphic

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/11

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 11, 2025 is:zoomorphic • \zoh-uh-MOR-fik\ • adjective Zoomorphic describes things that have the form of an animal. // The local bakery is famous for its wide variety of zoomorphic treats, from “hedgehog” dinner rolls to delicate, swan-shaped pastries. See the entry > Examples: “The oldest known ceramics come from a handful of sites in the Czech Republic and date back to about 28,000

en-us

00:01:43

griot

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/10

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2025 is:griot • \GREE-oh\ • noun The term griot refers to any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies. The term is also used broadly to refer to a storyteller. // Tracing her family lineage back to West African griots inspired the singer to focus on storytelling through her music. See the entry > Examples:

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00:02:06

insinuate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/09

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 9, 2025 is: insinuate • \in-SIN-yuh-wayt\ • verb To insinuate something (especially something bad or insulting) is to say it in a subtle or indirect way. Insinuate can also mean "to gradually make (oneself) a part of a group, a person's life, etc., often by behaving in a dishonest way." // When the teacher questioned the students about their identical test answers, they knew she was insinuating that they

en-us

00:02:18

sanguine

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/08

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 8, 2025 is: sanguine • \SANG-gwin\ • adjective Sanguine is a formal word that today almost always describes someone who is confident and hopeful, or something that shows confidence and hopefulness. Sanguine can also describe something that is bloodred in color, something involving or relating to bloodshed, or a person’s reddish complexion. // The young group of entrepreneurs is sanguine about the future

en-us

00:02:19

behest

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/07

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 7, 2025 is: behest • \bih-HEST\ • noun Behest can refer either to an authoritative order or an urgent prompting. // The committee met again at the senator’s behest. // At the behest of her friends, Marcie read the poem aloud. See the entry > Examples: “... Raymond Carver and I were selecting stories for our American Short Story Masterpieces. When Ray and I worked on our selections, we

en-us

00:01:29

mollify

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/06

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 6, 2025 is: mollify • \MAH-luh-fye\ • verb To mollify someone is to make them less angry. Mollify can also mean "to reduce in intensity." // The celebrity's statement was intended to mollify critics. // Time mollified her anger. See the entry > Examples: "The philanthropic move is likely meant to mollify angry residents who are protesting against the celebrity-filled spectacle being

en-us

00:02:04

histrionic

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/05

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 5, 2025 is: histrionic • \hiss-tree-AH-nik\ • adjective Histrionic is a word used disapprovingly to describe someone or something that is too emotional or dramatic. // The head chef had a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper whenever a dish was sent back to the kitchen. See the entry > Examples: “‘Where did I put ’em?/ Where’d I misplace

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00:02:30

abeyance

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/04

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 4, 2025 is: abeyance • \uh-BAY-unss\ • noun Abeyance is a formal word that is almost always used in the phrase “in abeyance” to describe something in a temporary state of inactivity—that is, something in a state of suspension. // The legal case is now being held in abeyance while the parties attempt to find a mutually acceptable solution. See the entry > Examples: “A restaurant popular

en-us

00:01:43

trivial

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/03

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 3, 2025 is:trivial • \TRIV-ee-ul\ • adjective Something described as trivial is of little worth or importance. // Although her parents initially dismissed her love of pop music as a trivial matter, it became clear as she applied to colleges with strong popular music programs that much of her life was going to be dedicated to it. See the entry > Examples: "No matter how trivial an

en-us

00:01:30

carp

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/02

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 2, 2025 is: carp • \KAHRP\ • verb To carp is to complain in an annoying way. // They’re always carping about their boss. See the entry > Examples: “David Fincher and Brad Pitt are together again with the sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood—written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by David Fincher. ... And while I hear people carping about the wig on Brad Pitt—to quote Caddyshack,

en-us

00:01:45

epitome

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/01

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 1, 2025 is: epitome • \ih-PIT-uh-mee\ • noun Epitome means "a perfect example." It is usually used in the phrase "the epitome of," as in "the epitome of elegance." // In his tailored suit and fashionable haircut, he was the very epitome of style. See the entry > Examples: "The image of Diana standing on a polo field in a white British Lung Foundation sweatshirt is one of the most iconic

en-us

00:02:03

simpatico

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/08/31

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 31, 2025 is: simpatico • \sim-PAH-tih-koh\ • adjective Simpatico typically describes two or more people or things with shared qualities, interests, etc. It can also describe someone who is agreeable or likeable. // Even though they weren’t always simpatico with regard to the direction of their company, the pair managed to be successful partners for more than 35 years. See the entry >

en-us

00:02:16

protocol

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/08/30

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 30, 2025 is:protocol • \PROH-tuh-kawl\ • noun Protocol most often refers to a system of rules explaining the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in a formal situation; in computer programming a protocol is a set of rules used in formatting data. Protocol can also refer to a plan for a scientific experiment or medical treatment, or to a document that describes the details of a diplomatic treaty. //

en-us

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