Merriam-Webster Picks Polarization As Word of the Year 2024

Merriam-Webster’s announcement of “polarization” as the 2024 Word of the Year underscores a year marked by deep divisions. Chosen based on a rise in searches and usage, the word encapsulates the societal, cultural, and political divides that shaped 2024. From the contentious U.S. presidential election to ongoing ideological clashes, polarization was not only discussed but lived across different spheres. Its broader applications span politics, pop culture, and global events, reflecting the tension between extremes and the difficulty of finding middle ground.

Definition of Polarization

• Refers to “causing strong disagreement between opposing factions or groupings.”
• Implies moving toward extremes rather than consensus.

Context in 2024

• The divisive U.S. presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
• AP VoteCast showed heightened concerns among voters regarding the extremity of opposing views.
• Used widely to describe political ideologies, race relations, and ideological divides.

Cultural Usage

• Applied to controversies like Taylor Swift’s private jet usage and Olympic rulings.
• Highlighted in debates over celebrity memes, tech trends, and nepo baby discussions.

Historical Perspective

• Originates from the early 1800s, making it a relatively “young” word in English.
• Its scientific roots also find metaphorical applications in describing societal divides.

Top 10 Words of 2024

1. Polarization (No.1)
2. Demure
3. Fortnight
4. Totality
5. Resonate
6. Allision
7. Weird
8. Cognitive
9. Pander
10. Democracy

Last 10 years Top Words

• 2024 – Polarization: Highlighted societal and political divides, moving toward extremes over consensus.
• 2023 – Authentic: Focused on genuineness amidst misinformation.
• 2022 – Gaslighting: Psychological manipulation causing doubt in reality.
• 2021 – Vaccine: Central to global health discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2020 – Pandemic: Defined the global crisis caused by COVID-19.
• 2019 – They: Recognized for its singular pronoun use for non-binary individuals.
• 2018 – Justice: Reflected societal focus on equality and legal reforms.
• 2017 – Feminism: Marked the global rise of women’s rights movements.
• 2016 – Surreal: Describe the shocking and unprecedented events of the year.
• 2015 – Ism: Explored ideological concepts like racism, feminism, and capitalism.
• 2014 – Culture: Acknowledged the influence of shared societal practices and norms.