Language Trends in 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of language, one word stood out in 2023 with a notable surge in searches - "authentic." In a digital era filled with uncertainties about the authenticity of online content, the choice of this word reflects a societal yearning for truth and genuineness. Merriam-Webster also considered other terms, such as "deepfake" and "rizz," the latter being a trendy word originating from social media platforms. The selection process for the word of the year was influenced by various events, including the official crowning of King Charles III, leading to a spike in searches for the term "coronation." Additionally, the surreal scenes caused by wildfire smoke led to a heightened interest in the word "dystopian." Other candidates for the word of the year included "EGOT," "implode," "indict," "X," and "elemental," each reflecting different cultural, political, and entertainment phenomena that shaped the discourse of 2023. This year's linguistic trends demonstrated a deep connection between language and the prevailing events and values of society.