Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Free daily dose of word power from Merriam-Webster's experts
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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 23, 2024 is:
panoply • \PAN-uh-plee\ • noun
Panoply is a formal word that refers to a group or collection that is impressive either because of its size or because it includes so many different kinds of people or things.
// The new website offers shoppers a panoply of sn...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 22, 2024 is:
belie • \bih-LYE\ • verb
To belie something is to give a false idea or impression of it. Belie can also mean "to show (something) to be false or wrong."
// Martin's easy banter and relaxed attitude belied his nervousness.
// Their actions belie their claim...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 21, 2024 is:
neophyte • \NEE-uh-fyte\ • noun
A neophyte is a person who has just started learning or doing something.
// As an acting neophyte, Femi took a while to adjust to his newfound Hollywood fame.
Examples:
"First premiering in ...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 20, 2024 is:
futile • \FYOO-tul\ • adjective
An effort, action, or emotion described as futile has no result or effect, and therefore serves no useful purpose.
// City officials attempted to stifle the scandal, but their efforts were futile.
...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 19, 2024 is:
sequester • \sih-KWESS-ter\ • verb
To sequester a person or group is to keep them separate or apart from other people. Sequester is also often used to mean “to bind or absorb (carbon dioxide) as part of a larger chemical process or compound.”
// The jury wa...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 18, 2024 is:
artifice • \AHR-tuh-fus\ • noun
Artifice refers to dishonest or insincere behavior or speech that is meant to deceive someone. It can also be used to mean "clever or artful skill."
// We found ourselves tremendously moved by his apology, which he made wit...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 17, 2024 is:
lucrative • \LOO-kruh-tiv\ • adjective
Something described as lucrative produces money or wealth.
// The author parlayed the success of her books into a lucrative second career as a public speaker.
Examples:
"A vibrant ...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 16, 2024 is:
debacle • \dee-BAH-kul\ • noun
Debacle is usually used synonymously with fiasco to mean “a complete failure.” It can also refer to a great disaster (though typically not one that causes significant suffering or loss).
// After the debacle of his first nove...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 15, 2024 is:
wane • \WAYN\ • verb
To wane is to become smaller or less, or in other words, to decrease in size, extent, or degree.
// The national scandal caused her popularity to wane.
Examples:
“In 2023, Royal Caribbean's bookings hit...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 14, 2024 is:
caveat • \KAV-ee-aht\ • noun
A caveat is an explanation or warning that should be remembered when you are doing or thinking about something. In legal contexts, caveat refers to a notice to a court or judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposit...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 17, 2020 is:
limpid \LIM-pid\ adjective
1 a : marked by transparency : pellucid
b : clear and simple in style
2 : absolutely serene and untroubled
Examples:
"She leaned toward him, entreaty in her eyes, and as he looked at her delicate face and into her pure, limpid eyes, as of old he was struck with his own unworthi...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 27, 2020 is:
anomaly \uh-NAH-muh-lee\ noun
1 : something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified : something anomalous
2 : deviation from the common rule : irregularity
3 : the angular distance of a planet from its perihelion as seen from the sun
Examples:
"Thermal Scanning uses intelligent thermal technol...
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