Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Free daily dose of word power from Merriam-Webster's experts
Episodes
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 8, 2025 is:
bravado • \bruh-VAH-doh\ • noun
Bravado refers to confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people.
// She tells the stories of her youthful exploits with enough bravado to invite suspicion that they're embellished a bit.
//...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 7, 2025 is:
enigmatic • \en-ig-MAT-ik\ • adjective
Something or someone described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.
// The band’s lead singer has always been an enigmatic figure, refusing to use social media or even sit for interviews.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 6, 2025 is:
sensibility • \sen-suh-BIL-uh-tee\ • noun
Sensibility is a formal word often used in its plural form to refer someone’s personal or cultural approach to what they encounter, as in “the speaker made sure to tailor his speech to the sensibilities of his au...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 5, 2025 is:
inoculate • \ih-NAHK-yuh-layt\ • verb
To inoculate a person or animal is to introduce immunologically active material (such as an antibody or antigen) into them especially in order to treat or prevent a disease. Inoculate can also mean "to introduce (som...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 4, 2025 is:
frowsy • \FROW-zee\ • adjective
Something described as frowsy has a messy or dirty appearance.
// The lamp, discovered in a neglected corner of a frowsy antique store, turned out to be quite valuable.
Examples:
“Footag...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 3, 2025 is:
alchemy • \AL-kuh-mee\ • noun
Alchemy refers to a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way.
// They practiced their alchemy in the kitchen, turning a pile of vegetables and legumes into an extravagant meal.
...Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 2, 2025 is:
cajole • \kuh-JOHL\ • verb
To cajole someone is to use flattery or gentle urging to persuade them to do something or to give you something. Cajole can also mean “to deceive with soothing words or false promises.” It is often used with the word into.
// ...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 1, 2025 is:
pseudonym • \SOO-duh-nim\ • noun
A pseudonym is a name that someone (such as a writer) uses instead of their real name.
// bell hooks is the pseudonym of the American writer Gloria Jean Watkins.
Examples:
“Edgar Wright,...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 30, 2025 is:
iconoclast • \eye-KAH-nuh-klast\ • noun
Iconoclast originally referred to someone who destroys religious images or who opposes their veneration. It is now used to refer broadly to anyone who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are widely ac...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 29, 2025 is:
exculpatory • \ek-SKUL-puh-tor-ee\ • adjective
Something described as exculpatory serves to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong.
// Their lawyer presented insurmountable exculpatory evidence at the trial.
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