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Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster

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00:02:17

kerfuffle

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/28

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 28, 2025 is:kerfuffle • \ker-FUFF-ul\ • noun Kerfuffle is an informal word that refers to a disturbance or fuss typically caused by a dispute or conflict. // The reclassification of Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet caused quite a kerfuffle among astronomy lovers. See the entry > Examples: “I find it fascinating that the media landscape and the world of storytelling has so many

en-us

00:01:52

vociferous

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/27

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 27, 2025 is: vociferous • \voh-SIF-uh-rus\ • adjective Vociferous describes people who express their feelings or opinions loudly and insistently. It is also applied to things, such as objections, that are expressed in such a way. // We were vociferous in our support of the proposal. // The decision was made over their vociferous objections. See the entry > Examples: "Earlier, there

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00:01:40

gesundheit

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/26

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 26, 2025 is: gesundheit • \guh-ZOONT-hyte\ • interjection Gesundheit is an interjection used to wish good health to one who has just sneezed. // I sneezed three times in a row, and my coworker called "gesundheit!" from the next cubicle. See the entry > Examples: "Personally, I did not like my husband's sneezing into his hand, so I stopped saying 'gesundheit' whenever he did that. He now

en-us

00:01:58

anomaly

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/25

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 25, 2025 is: anomaly • \uh-NAH-muh-lee\ • noun Anomaly is a somewhat formal word that refers to something that is remarkable in its deviation from what is usual or expected. // Last summer’s storm was an anomaly for this area. // We were unable to explain the anomalies in the test results. See the entry > Examples: “Magic realism usually makes no attempt to explain or justify the

en-us

00:02:05

brandish

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/24

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 24, 2025 is: brandish • \BRAN-dish\ • verb To brandish something, such as a weapon, is to wave or swing it in a threatening or excited manner. // Squeals of laughter erupted as three children brandishing squirt guns rounded the corner of the house. See the entry > Examples: “The dancers are young men from the neighborhoods dressed in dark robes accented by bright yellow, red and blue

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00:01:34

nonpareil

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/23

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 23, 2025 is: nonpareil • \nahn-puh-REL\ • adjective Nonpareil describes that which has no equal because it is better than any other. // To this day, the band's debut album is still considered nonpareil, raising the bar for every rock group to follow. See the entry > Examples: "The Crew's soccer operations have been nonpareil during this latest golden era of their history." — Michael

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00:02:14

catch-22

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/22

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 22, 2025 is: catch-22 • \KATCH-twen-tee-TOO\ • noun Catch-22 typically refers to a difficult situation for which there is no easy or possible solution. In the narrowest use of the term, it refers to a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule. // I’m in a catch-22: to get the job I need experience, but how do I get experience if I

en-us

00:02:00

lugubrious

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/21

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 21, 2025 is:lugubrious • \loo-GOO-bree-us\ • adjective Lugubrious is a formal word used chiefly to describe something that is very sad especially in an exaggerated or insincere way. The word can also describe something that shows or expresses gloom. // The movie’s stunning cinematography could not make up for the lugubrious and plodding plot. // The lugubrious mood of the room shifted when the voices of

en-us

00:02:01

enmity

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/20

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 20, 2025 is: enmity • \EN-muh-tee\ • noun Enmity is a formal word that refers to a very deep unfriendly feeling, such as hatred or ill will, that is often felt mutually. // Having to collaborate on the project only increased the bitter enmity between the two coworkers, who had never gotten along. See the entry > Examples: "Paul Monreal is a fourth-great-grandchild of Catherine and

en-us

00:01:53

succumb

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2025/09/19

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 19, 2025 is: succumb • \suh-KUM\ • verb Succumbing is about yielding to something: someone who succumbs to a pressure or emotion stops trying to resist that pressure or emotion, and someone who succumbs to an injury or disease dies because of that injury or disease. The word is often followed by to. // The program aims to help kids develop the strength of character required to avoid succumbing to peer

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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

en-us

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

en-us

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

en-us

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,

en-us

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

en-us

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:

en-us

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

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