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...

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.See the entry > Examples: "Two lawsuits filed in April accuse hundreds of insurers of colluding to drop...

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...

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...

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.See the entry > Examples: "This was jazz of the highest order—challenging, yet accessible, eminently entertaining and arrestingly beautiful. Goosebumps were felt."...

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. See the entry > Examples: “Just across the highway at Año Nuevo State Park, elephant seals loll...

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...

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. See the entry > Examples: “Absurdly, though, if you were standing on a Rodinian beach [on the ancient supercontinent...

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. See the entry > Examples: “Pilates provides improvements in...

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.See the entry > Examples:...