Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year: Slop — and Why It Matters More Than Ever

Merriam-Webster’s word of the year is a blunt one: slop.

Defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of AI,” it’s an uncomfortable term, but an increasingly relevant one. As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in creative workflows, the volume of content being produced has exploded. Entire podcasts, videos, blogs, and social media posts can now be generated in minutes with just a few prompts.

From a productivity and efficiency standpoint, that’s nothing short of revolutionary.

But the problem isn’t AI itself. The problem is what happens when creation stops there.

We’re now surrounded by content that technically exists but doesn’t truly connect. Audiences may not always be able to articulate why something feels off, but they almost always sense it. The tells are sometimes subtle and sometimes glaringly obvious, but they’re remarkably consistent. Pacing that feels rushed, sluggish, or awkwardly disjointed. A tone that sounds flat, impersonal, or emotionally misaligned. Strange inflections, mispronunciations, or robotic rhythms that quietly pull listeners and viewers out of the experience.

These are the red flags of content that hasn’t been thoughtfully edited or professionally produced.

Editing is where storytelling actually comes alive. It’s where rhythm is shaped, emphasis is refined, and meaning becomes clear. It’s where intention replaces automation. Without that layer of care, content may be fast, but it isn’t memorable, trustworthy, or engaging.

Content creation shouldn’t come at the expense of creativity or humanity. AI-generated material can absolutely sound incredible, feel intentional, and resonate with an audience, but only when it’s treated as a starting point, not the finished product.

The tools may be faster. The pipelines may be shorter. But the fundamentals haven’t changed.

Quality still takes time.
And attention is still earned.

In an era defined by speed and scale, the work that stands out will continue to be the work that feels considered, human, and crafted, no matter what tools are used to create it.