Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 22, 2025 is: temporize • \TEM-puh-ryze\ • verb To temporize is to avoid making a decision or giving a definite answer in order to have more time. // Pressured by voters on both sides of the issue, the congressman temporized.See the entry > Examples: "The question is, Did you eat the last piece of pie? And the politician who ate the last piece of...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 21, 2025 is: hibernaculum • \hye-ber-NAK-yuh-lum\ • noun Hibernaculum (plural hibernacula) refers to a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal, such as an insect, snake, bat, or marmot.// Local scientists are studying the longevity of bats who use bridges and other aboveground hibernacula versus that of bats who roost all winter in...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 20, 2025 is: decorous • \DECK-er-us\ • adjective Decorous is a formal adjective used to describe an attitude or behavior characterized by propriety and good taste. // The ceremony was conducted with a decorous solemnity. See the entry > Examples: “... Elizabeth reveals, later, that she felt she never belonged to the decorous world of parties and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 19, 2025 is: veracity • \vuh-RASS-uh-tee\ • noun Veracity is a formal word that can refer to truth or accuracy, or to the quality of being truthful or honest.// The jury seemed not to doubt the veracity of the witness.See the entry > Examples: "Raise your hand if you've been questioning the veracity of real events, news stories and images posted...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 18, 2025 is: jaunty • \JAWN-tee\ • adjective Something described as jaunty is lively in manner or appearance. Jaunty can also describe something, such as an article of clothing, that suggests a lively and confident quality. // The server whistled a jaunty tune as she wiped the tables and set out fresh flowers in preparation for the day’s diners.See...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 17, 2025 is: espouse • \ih-SPOWZ\ • verb To espouse an ideology, belief, etc., is to take it up and support it as a cause. Espouse is usually encountered in formal speech and writing.// The article explores some of the lesser-known viewpoints espoused by the charismatic leader. See the entry > Examples: “Crammed into a tiny apartment in Greenwich...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 16, 2025 is: conversant • \kun-VER-sunt\ • adjective Conversant, usually used in the phrase "conversant with," describes someone who has knowledge of or experience with something. // The ideal candidate for the sommelier position will have expert knowledge of the various wines served in the restaurant and be conversant with the rich world of...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 15, 2025 is: dreidel • \DRAY-dul\ • noun A dreidel is a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun like a top in a game of chance. The game, played by children especially at Hanukkah, is also called dreidel.// All the kids in the family look forward to playing dreidel together during Hanukkah. See the entry > Examples: “The Jewish tradition...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 14, 2025 is: multitudinous • \mul-tuh-TOO-duh-nus\ • adjective Multitudinous is a formal word with meanings that relate to multitudes. It can mean “existing in a great multitude”—that is, “very many”; or “including a multitude of individuals”; or “existing in or consisting of innumerable elements or aspects.”// The two old friends reminisced about...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 13, 2025 is: alleviate • \uh-LEE-vee-ayt\ • verb To alleviate something is to make it less painful, difficult, or severe. Alleviate can also mean "to partially remove or correct."// There's no cure for the common cold, but there are various treatments that may alleviate some of the symptoms.// The new tunnel should alleviate traffic congestion on the...