Polarization named 2024 Word of the Year by Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2024 is “polarization,” reflecting the sharp divide in opinions and beliefs seen in society today. This decision comes after a contentious election and increased search volume on the dictionary’s website related to understanding current events. Other political words like “democracy” also made the list, showcasing a desire to explore and protect the concept. Interesting terms like “pander” and “weird” gained traction due to political contexts, while “cognitive” saw increased interest surrounding the health of former President Trump and President Biden. Additionally, internet culture terms like “demure” and event-related words like “totality” and “allision” were popular lookups throughout the year. This announcement follows similar word of the year selections from Oxford University Press and Collins Dictionary, highlighting different cultural trends and language usage.

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