With controversies surrounding ‘deepfake’ videos making headlines, Merriam-Webster Dictionary recently disclosed some of the most searched words of the year 2023. The revelation, made by editor Peter Sokolowski highlighted ‘deepfake’ as one of the top searches, but the word of the year was declared to be “authentic.”
Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.” “Authentic,” with meanings such as “not false or imitation” and “true to one’s own personality,” proved challenging to define precisely, prompting many to consult the dictionary. The term often revolves around identity, whether national or personal, influencing discussions on cuisine, self, voice, and more.
Here are some of the top words that gained attention in 2023:
1.Coronation
The word ‘coronation’ experienced a surge of 15,681% in lookups around King Charles III’s coronation ceremony on May 6, denoting ‘the act or occasion of crowning.’
2.Deepfake
With Elon Musk being the subject of deepfake videos in a Tesla lawsuit, ‘deepfake’ gained popularity. It refers to convincingly altered images or recordings meant to misrepresent someone.
3.Implode
The word ‘implode’ gained traction following the Titan Submersible implosion on June 18, meaning ‘to burst inward.‘
4.Deadname
‘Deadname’ witnessed search spikes amid legislative actions targeting LGBTQ rights. It refers to the name given to a transgender person at birth, no longer used after transitioning.
5.Doppelganger
Defined as a ‘double,’ ‘alter ego,’ or ‘ghostly counterpart,’ the interest in ‘doppelganger’ grew following the release of Naomi Klein’s book titled “Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World.”
6.Covenant
Surging lookups for ‘covenant’ occurred on March 27, after a mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. It refers to a formal, solemn, and binding agreement.
7.Indict
The term ‘indict’ garnered attention when former President Donald Trump faced felony charges. It means to formally accuse or charge with a crime.
8.Dystopian
Global climate change drew attention to ‘dystopian,’ relating to an imagined state or society with great suffering or injustice.
9.Rizz
Added to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary in September, ‘rizz’ is a slang term for romantic appeal or charm.
10.Kibbutz
The search for ‘kibbutz,’ denoting a communal farm or settlement in Israel, spiked following a Hamas attack on October 7.
In a year marked by diverse events and cultural shifts, these words reflect the collective interest and concerns of people navigating the complexities of the world in 2023.
1. According to Merriam-Webster, what has been designated as the Word of the Year for 2023?
Answer: ‘authentic’
2. Who is the founder of Merriam-Webster?
Answer: George Merriam and Charles Merriam.
3. What does the term ‘deepfake’ mean, considering it has become one of the most searched words?
Answer: It refers to convincingly altered images or recordings meant to misrepresent someone.
World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on…
The Indian government has announced plans for public sector companies like Coal India, NMDC, and…
In April, India's merchandise exports saw a modest 1% increase, reaching $34.99 billion, driven by…
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a digital infrastructure initiative launched in 2021, has…
In response to rising credit demand and falling liquidity, State Bank of India (SBI) has…
The Indian Army is poised to elevate its air defense capabilities with the impending delivery…