2025’s Words of the Year Reflect Frustration and Urgency

BREAKING: The words of the year for 2025 have just been released, and they reveal a generation grappling with frustration over job prospects, artificial intelligence, and the relentless nature of online culture. Various dictionaries and platforms have selected terms that encapsulate a pervasive sense of exhaustion and skepticism, marking a significant cultural moment.

UPDATE: Dictionary.com made a unique choice this year, selecting the numeral 67 as its word of the year, a first since the site began this tradition in 2010. This decision highlights a growing sentiment of ambiguity among users, with the number reportedly seeing a sixfold increase in searches since June 2025.

The mood across the globe is palpable. Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, stated, “There’s no denying that 2025 has been a year defined by questions around who we truly are, both online and offline.” This sentiment resonates deeply with job seekers and social media users alike.

Glassdoor has coined “fatigue” as its word of the year, reflecting the overwhelming burnout felt by workers. The term saw a staggering 41% increase in mentions on the platform throughout the year. A recent survey revealed that 78% of workers feel drained by the constant barrage of news and job applications that yield little result. The job market remains stagnant, leaving many workers feeling stuck as “job huggers” cling to their positions.

Meanwhile, Collins Dictionary introduced “vibe coding,” a term coined by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy. This reflects a growing shift towards a tech-dominated world, where natural language prompts are increasingly used to generate code. Reports indicate that code-related queries have surged by 36% among non-engineering workers, as AI continues to transform the workplace.

In the realm of online discourse, Oxford Dictionary has spotlighted “rage bait,” a term that describes content designed to provoke outrage. The usage of “rage bait” has tripled in 2025, indicating a troubling shift in how online attention is garnered, often at the expense of meaningful conversation.

The phenomenon of “parasocial” relationships has also been recognized by the Cambridge Dictionary. This term describes the one-sided connections individuals form with celebrities, influencers, and even AI chatbots. In today’s digital landscape, many users feel emotionally tied to these figures, leading to increased engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Furthermore, Macquarie Dictionary chose “AI slop” as its word of the year, highlighting concerns over the rise of low-quality content generated by artificial intelligence. The term points to the growing frustration with ineffective AI-generated communications that clutter professional environments and mislead consumers.

The impact of these terms is clear: they reflect a generation grappling with the complexities of modern life. As technology continues to evolve, the implications for work, relationships, and personal well-being become more pronounced.

WHAT’S NEXT: As we move into 2026, observers will be watching closely to see how these trends evolve. The ongoing dialogue about the role of AI in our lives and the mental toll of job searching and online engagement will undoubtedly shape the cultural landscape.

Stay tuned for more updates as we delve into the real-life implications of these words and their resonance with the experiences of millions.