Merriam-Webster has announced "polarization" as its Word of the Year for 2024. Defined as the division into two sharply distinct opposites, especially in terms of opinions, beliefs, or interests, the term has been prominent in the midst of a historically divisive election year, including the U.S. presidential race.
**Other Notable Words of 2024:**
1. **Totality**: Interest in this term peaked during the total solar eclipse in April, referring to the phase of an eclipse during which it is total.
2. **Demure**: Popularized by a TikTok trend, this word describes someone who is reserved, modest, and often shy.
3. **Fortnight**: Thanks to Taylor Swift's album promotion, this British term for a two-week period gained traction in American English.
4. **Pander**: Lookups spiked during the presidential race, with both sides accusing each other of catering to specific groups unreasonably.
5. **Resonate**: Frequently used in AI-generated text and political news, this word means to evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief.
6. **Allision**: This maritime term, meaning a ship striking a stationary object, surfaced after a cargo ship crash in Baltimore.
7. **Weird**: Used extensively in politics to criticize opponents' policies, appearances, and behaviors.
8. **Cognitive**: Discussions about presidential candidates' mental faculties and post-election analyses drove searches for this term.
9. **Democracy**: Throughout 2024, many sought to understand the true meaning of this word, which remains a focus of American and global attention.
These words reflect the political climate, cultural trends, and notable events of 2024, showcasing the evolving nature of language in response to current affairs.