Merriam-Webster Adds 1400 New Words Including Looksmaxxing

Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its online catalog following their September 15 announcement. The publisher stated that these entries reflect terms demonstrating sustained widespread use over time, offering a window into the world today. Notable additions include internet culture terms like 'looksmaxxing,' which describes efforts to improve physical appearance; 'vibe coding'; 'cuffing season'; and 'meme coin.' Other significant words added this year include 'Sunday Scaries' for feelings of dread before weekends, 'whack-a-mole,' and the 2025 Word of the Year 'slop,' which refers to low-quality digital content produced by artificial intelligence. The update also features technology-related terms such as 'AGI,' a new noun form of 'compute,' and 'uncanny valley.' While some words like 'parasocial' relate to social media connections, others cover food items including 'superfood,' 'cake pop,' and 'chili crisp.' Merriam-Webster President Gregory Barlow noted that online culture increasingly generates new language. The company emphasized that a dictionary serves as a user's manual for communication rather than an idea museum.