Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 11, 2026 is:

paradox • \PAIR-uh-dahks\  • noun

Paradox refers to something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible. It can also refer to someone who does two seemingly opposite things or who has qualities that are opposite; to a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that nonetheless may be true; or to the use of such statements in writing or speech.

// It is a paradox that computers need time-consuming updates so often...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 10, 2026 is:

collude • \kuh-LOOD\  • verb

To collude is to work with others secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest. Collude is used as a synonym of conspire and plot.

// She is accused of colluding with known criminals.

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Examples:

"Two lawsuits filed in April accuse hundreds of insurers of colluding to drop policyholders and force them onto the plan, which offers limited policies that typically cost more." — Laurence Darmiento, The Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 9, 2026 is:

innocuous • \ih-NAH-kyuh-wus\  • adjective

Innocuous describes either something that is not likely to bother or offend anyone (as in “an innocuous comment”), or something that causes no injury, or is otherwise considered harmless (as in “an innocuous prank”).

// The reporter asked what seemed like an innocuous question, but it prompted the candidate to storm off, abruptly ending the press conference.

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Examples:

“Strong solar storms can be dangerous for astronauts in space, and can cause problems for GPS systems and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 8, 2026 is:

gumbo • \GUM-boh\  • noun

Gumbo refers to a soup thickened with okra pods or filé and containing meat or seafoods and usually vegetables. The word is also used figuratively to refer to a mixture or blend of something.

// The reputation of the family’s gumbo guaranteed them an invitation to any and all neighborhood potlucks.

// She draws her artistic inspiration from the city’s rich gumbo of musical styles.

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Examples:

“Gram and Aunt Rachel got a big bu...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 7, 2026 is:

eminently • \EM-uh-nunt-lee\  • adverb

Eminently is used as a synonym of very and means "to a high degree."

// Our team came up with an eminently sensible plan to reduce waste.

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Examples:

"This was jazz of the highest order—challenging, yet accessible, eminently entertaining and arrestingly beautiful. Goosebumps were felt." — T'Cha Dunlevy, The Gazette (Montreal, Canada), 8 July 2025

Did you know?

When British physician Tobias Venner wrote in 1620 of houses "somewhat eminently situated," he meant...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 6, 2026 is:

loll • \LAHL\  • verb

Loll most often means “to droop or hang loosely.” It can also mean “to act or move in a relaxed or lazy manner.”

// We’re counting down the days until the weather will be warm enough again to laze and loll by the pool.

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Examples:

“Just across the highway at Año Nuevo State Park, elephant seals loll lazily on the beach.” — Scott Clark, quoted in Saveur, 3 Apr. 2025

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 5, 2026 is:

marginalia • \mahr-juh-NAY-lee-uh\  • noun

Marginalia is a plural noun that refers to notes or other marks written in the margins of a text, and also to nonessential matters or items.

// I loved flipping through my literature textbooks to find the marginalia left behind by former students.

// She found the documentary's treatment of not only the major events but also the marginalia of Scandinavian history fascinating.

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Examples:

“Marginalia have a long history: Leonardo da Vinci famousl...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 4, 2026 is:

titanic • \tye-TAN-ik\  • adjective

Something described as titanic is very great in size, force, or power.

// The batter saved the game in the bottom of the ninth inning by hitting a titanic home run right out of the park.

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Examples:

“Absurdly, though, if you were standing on a Rodinian beach [on the ancient supercontinent of Rodinia] you might not have even noticed the seas rising at all. This is because, as the land bounced back from underne...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 3, 2026 is:

senescence • \sih-NESS-unss\  • noun

Senescence is a formal and technical word that refers to the state of being old or the process of becoming old.

// Our grandparents, now in their senescence, are enjoying spending more time with family and going on new adventures together.

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Examples:

“Pilates provides improvements in core strength, flexibility and balance, even when done just once a week. It can help with stress relief, as well as anxiety and depression. Among those 60 years of age...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 2, 2026 is:

febrile • \FEB-ryle\  • adjective

Febrile is a medical term meaning "marked or caused by fever; feverish." It is sometimes used figuratively, as in "a febrile political climate."

// I'm finally back on my feet after recovering from a febrile illness.

// The actor delivered the monologue with a febrile intensity.

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Examples:

"Peppered with exclamation marks, breathless and febrile, this is an utterly mesmeric account of how one man's crimes can affect an entire community." — Laura Wilson, The Gua...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 1, 2026 is:

amortize • \AM-er-tyze\  • verb

To amortize something, such as a mortgage, is to pay for it by making regular payments over a long period of time.

// If you apply extra payments directly to your loan balance as a principal reduction, your loan can be amortized sooner.

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Examples:

“As part of some of the league’s commercial deals—where companies pay the league for rights of some sort—the NFL has received equity or warrants. … The warrants are priced at f...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 31, 2025 is:

retrospective • \reh-truh-SPEK-tiv\  • adjective

Retrospective describes something that relates to the past or to something that happened in the past.

// The museum has curated a retrospective exhibit of the artist's early works.

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Examples:

"Our retrospective sense of time hinges on memory: Periods rich in novel, significant experiences feel longer, while routine collapses duration ..." — Marc Wittmann, Psychology Today, 16 Nov. 2025

Did you know?

At the year's end, both introspection and retrospection are common. While i...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 30, 2025 is:

charisma • \kuh-RIZ-muh\  • noun

Charisma refers to a special magnetic charm or appeal that causes people to feel attracted and excited by someone. A person with charisma is captivating and often admired.

// The young singer has the kind of charisma that turns a performer into a star.

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Examples:

"Sports and showbiz have gone hand in hand since newsreels in the 1920s showcased the skills and charisma of Babe Ruth." — Carole Horst, Variety, 16 July 2025

Did you...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 29, 2025 is:

nefarious • \nih-FAIR-ee-us\  • adjective

Nefarious is a formal word that describes something as evil or immoral.

// Authorities suspect that the recovered materials were going to be used for nefarious purposes.

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Examples:

“Introducing characters like Gorilla Grodd on DC Crime would help familiarize audiences with these figures before they potentially receive an expanded role in another project. Perhaps each season could focus on a different villain, highlighting their nefarious actions.” — Chris Agar, comicbook.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Did...