Close Menu
  • Home
  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Travel
Trending

Woman fractured skull before ex ‘strangled her to death in luxury Surrey hotel’

July 18, 2025

Essex students killed after drink-driver lost control doing 90mph in 30mph zone

July 18, 2025

Ex-Lioness Eni Aluko ‘did a lot to try and apologise’ to Ian Wright privately

July 18, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Se Connecter
July 18, 2025
Euro News Source
Live Markets Newsletter
  • Home
  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Travel
Euro News Source
Home»Culture
Culture

“Polarization” Selected as Merriam-Webster’s 2024 Word of the Year

News RoomBy News RoomDecember 9, 2024
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Copy Link Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram

The Dividing Lines of 2024: Merriam-Webster Crowns "Polarization" as Word of the Year

The year 2024 has been a year of stark contrasts and deepening divides, a reality captured by Merriam-Webster’s selection of "polarization" as its Word of the Year. This choice reflects not only the tumultuous political landscape but also the widening fissures in culture and society. The word signifies a drift away from the center, a tendency towards extremes that manifests in fierce disagreements and opposing factions. While the political arena provides a prominent example, with the return of Donald Trump to the White House symbolizing this division for many, the concept of polarization extends far beyond the political sphere, permeating various aspects of life, from pop culture to everyday discourse.

Merriam-Webster’s selection process, based on data-driven analysis of search and usage trends, underscores the word’s pervasiveness in the current lexicon. The dictionary, which receives 100 million pageviews monthly, serves as a neutral arbiter of meaning, a crucial role in an era characterized by misinformation and the manipulation of language. The choice of "polarization" highlights the dictionary’s commitment to reflecting the zeitgeist, capturing the essence of a year marked by increasingly entrenched viewpoints and a growing chasm between opposing groups.

The significance of "polarization" as the Word of the Year is further amplified by the context of the other words that made Merriam-Webster’s top ten list. These words, ranging from "demure" to "democracy," offer a glimpse into the diverse themes and events that shaped the year. "Demure," Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year, represents a contrasting concept to polarization, perhaps suggesting a yearning for a more restrained and less confrontational discourse. "Fortnight," propelled into prominence by a Taylor Swift song, exemplifies the influence of pop culture on language. "Totality," linked to the year’s solar eclipse, reflects a momentary shared experience that transcended divisions.

Other words on the list, such as "resonate," "allision," "weird," "cognitive," "pander," and "democracy," further illuminate the prevailing concerns and anxieties of the year. "Resonate," increasingly used in AI-generated text, points to the evolving relationship between language and technology. "Allision," spiking after a ship collision, highlights the unexpected events that can capture public attention. "Weird," used by a governor to describe political opponents, reflects the escalating rhetoric in political discourse. "Cognitive," linked to discussions about President Biden’s debate performance, underscores the focus on mental acuity in political leadership. "Pander," frequently used in political commentary, captures the perceived tendency of politicians to appeal to specific groups. Finally, "democracy" itself, a fundamental concept often taken for granted, emerges as a keyword, highlighting its vulnerability in a polarized climate.

The choice of "polarization" as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year is not an isolated phenomenon. Other dictionaries have also selected words that reflect the current social and political climate. Collins Dictionary chose "brat," perhaps reflecting a perceived decline in civility and respect. Cambridge Dictionary opted for "manifest," suggesting a focus on making intentions and beliefs clear. Oxford Dictionary’s selection of "brain rot" points to the anxieties surrounding misinformation and its impact on cognitive processes. These diverse choices, while differing in specific meaning, collectively capture the anxieties and preoccupations of a year marked by uncertainty and division.

In conclusion, the selection of "polarization" as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year serves as a potent symbol of the current state of affairs. It highlights the deepening divides in society, the increasing tendency towards extremes, and the challenges of finding common ground in a fragmented world. The word, chosen based on its increased usage and search frequency, reflects the pervasiveness of this phenomenon in public discourse and private conversations. Furthermore, the other words on Merriam-Webster’s top ten list, along with the selections from other dictionaries, provide a broader perspective on the year’s defining themes, anxieties, and preoccupations. They paint a picture of a year grappling with complex issues, navigating a rapidly changing world, and searching for meaning and connection in an increasingly polarized landscape.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email

Keep Reading

Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival opens after massive fire destroyed main stage

Culture July 18, 2025

Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham spark reunion rumours

Culture July 18, 2025

Massive Attack announce alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza

Culture July 18, 2025

Caught on kiss-cam: Footage of Tech CEO allegedly having affair at Coldplay concert goes viral

Culture July 18, 2025

Connie Francis, whose ‘Pretty Little Baby’ became a viral TikTok hit this year, dies at 87

Culture July 17, 2025

Disney sues Hong Kong company Red Earth, saying it is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery

Culture July 17, 2025

Festival campers arrive as Tomorrowland seeks answers after fire destroys main stage

Culture July 17, 2025

Emma Watson and Harry Potter co-star banned from driving for speeding

Culture July 16, 2025

Not beary funny: Teddy bear artwork made from fake human skin leads to arrest in California

Culture July 16, 2025

Editors Picks

Essex students killed after drink-driver lost control doing 90mph in 30mph zone

July 18, 2025

Ex-Lioness Eni Aluko ‘did a lot to try and apologise’ to Ian Wright privately

July 18, 2025

Over a thousand flock to Swingathon as village hosts UK’s biggest taboo festival

July 18, 2025

At least three killed in explosion at Los Angeles training facility for sheriffs

July 18, 2025

Latest News

Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival opens after massive fire destroyed main stage

July 18, 2025

BREAKING: Epping protest: Cops break silence on claims police van drove into protester

July 18, 2025

Trinidad and Tobago imposes state of emergency after prison plot to kill officials uncovered

July 18, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest Europe and World news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Instagram
2025 © Euro News Source. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?