Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

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trenchant

06.06.2023

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 6, 2023 is: trenchant \TREN-chunt\ adjective Trenchant is a formal word that is usually used to describe communication that is notably strong, clear, and perceptive, or in other words, “sharp.” // The author’s ...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day episodes:

06.06.2023 trenchant Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 6, 2023 is: trenchant \TREN-chunt\ adjective Trenchant is a formal word that is usually used to describe communication that is notably strong, clear, and perceptive, or in other words, “sharp.” // The author’s ...
06.05.2023 yips Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 5, 2023 is: yips \YIPS\ noun Yips is a plural noun that refers to a state of nervousness that affects an athlete (such as a golfer) when they're about to make an important ...
06.04.2023 concatenate Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 4, 2023 is: concatenate \kahn-KAT-uh-nayt\ verb Concatenate is a formal word that means “to link together in a series or chain.” // Most household garbage bags are concatenated on rolls and connected at ...
06.03.2023 meet-cute Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 3, 2023 is: meet-cute \MEET-kyoot\ noun Meet-cute is a term that refers to a cute, charming, or amusing first encounter between romantic partners. A meet-cute can be such an encounter as shown in ...
06.02.2023 obstinate Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 2, 2023 is: obstinate \AHB-stuh-nut\ adjective Obstinate at its most basic means "stubborn." It describes people who refuse to change their behavior or ideas in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion, and it ...
06.01.2023 gist Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 1, 2023 is: gist \JIST\ noun Gist, which almost always appears in the phrase “the gist,” refers to the general or basic meaning of something written or said—in other words, its essence. // ...
05.31.2023 enthrall Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 31, 2023 is: enthrall \in-THRAWL\ verb Enthrall means “to hold the attention of someone by being very exciting, interesting, or beautiful,” or in other words, “to charm.” It is often used in its ...
05.30.2023 nemesis Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 30, 2023 is: nemesis \NEM-uh-siss\ noun A nemesis is a formidable foe—an opponent or enemy who is very difficult to defeat. As a [proper noun](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proper%20noun), Nemesis refers to the Greek goddess of vengeance. ...
05.29.2023 sacrosanct Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 29, 2023 is: sacrosanct \SAK-roh-sankt\ adjective Sacrosanct is a formal word that describes things too important and respected to be changed or criticized. It can also mean “most sacred or holy.” // While ...
05.28.2023 flavedo Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 28, 2023 is: flavedo \fluh-VEE-doh\ noun Flavedo refers to the colored outer layer of the rind of a citrus fruit. // The lime's flavedo is full of essential oils that add a distinctive, ...
05.27.2023 interpolate Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 27, 2023 is: interpolate \in-TER-puh-layt\ verb Interpolate is a formal word used to talk about interjecting or inserting something, especially words or a musical element. A critic might interpolate a comment into a ...
05.26.2023 sapient Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 26, 2023 is: sapient \SAY-pee-unt\ adjective Sapient is a formal word that means “possessing or expressing great wisdom.” // She was grateful to have in her mentor an ever-reliable source of sapient career ...
05.25.2023 hobbyhorse Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 25, 2023 is: hobbyhorse \HAH-bee-horss\ noun Hobbyhorse usually refers to a topic that someone dwells on, returning to again and again, especially in conversation. // The so-called “[Curse of the Bambino](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Curse-of-the-Bambino)” was a ...
05.24.2023 adumbrate Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 24, 2023 is: adumbrate \AD-um-brayt\ verb Adumbrate is a formal verb with several meanings that all have to do with figurative shadows. It can mean “to foreshadow vaguely,” as in “a childhood interest ...
05.23.2023 bower Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 23, 2023 is: bower \BOW-er\ noun Bower is a literary word that usually refers to a garden shelter made with tree boughs or vines twined together. // Resting in the shade of the ...
05.22.2023 officious Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 22, 2023 is: officious \uh-FISH-us\ adjective Officious typically describes a person who tends to offer unwanted advice in a way that annoys the advice recipients. It is a synonym of [meddlesome](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meddlesome). // After ...
05.21.2023 gamut Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 21, 2023 is: gamut \GAM-ut\ noun A gamut is a range or series of related things. When we say that something “runs the gamut,” we are saying that it encompasses an entire range ...
05.20.2023 telegenic Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 20, 2023 is: telegenic \tel-uh-JEN-ik\ adjective Someone or something described as telegenic is well-suited to the medium of television. Telegenic is often used to describe people whose appearance or manners are particularly attractive ...
05.19.2023 censure Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 19, 2023 is: censure \SEN-sher\ verb To censure someone is to formally criticize or [reprimand](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprimand#h2) them for an act or failure, especially from a position of authority. // He was censured by the ...
05.18.2023 zephyr Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 18, 2023 is: zephyr \ZEFF-er\ noun A zephyr is a breeze blowing from the west. More loosely, a zephyr can be any gentle breeze. // We were relieved when a zephyr blew in ...
05.17.2023 rarefied Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 17, 2023 is: rarefied \RAIR-uh-fyde\ adjective Something described as rarefied is understood or appreciated by only a small or select group of people; the word is a synonym of [esoteric](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esoteric). Rarefied can also ...
05.16.2023 disapprobation Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 16, 2023 is: disapprobation \dis-ap-ruh-BAY-shun\ noun Disapprobation refers to the act or state of disapproving or of being disapproved of. // There was widespread disapprobation of the city's plan to slash educational funding. ...
05.15.2023 maudlin Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 15, 2023 is: maudlin \MAUD-lin\ adjective Maudlin describes someone or something that expresses sadness or sentimentality in an exaggerated way. // The class had a hard time taking the maudlin poetry seriously. [See ...
05.14.2023 engender Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 14, 2023 is: engender \in-JEN-der\ verb Engender is a formal word that means “to produce; to cause to exist or to develop.” It is used especially when feelings and ideas are generated. // ...
05.13.2023 florescence Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 13, 2023 is: florescence \flor-ESS-unss\ noun Florescence refers to a state or period of being in bloom or of flourishing. // She remarked in her lecture on the florescence of [Renaissance](https://www.britannica.com/event/Renaissance) art and ...
05.12.2023 cordial Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 12, 2023 is: cordial \KOR-jul\ adjective Cordial means “politely pleasant and friendly.” It also means “showing or marked by warm and often hearty friendliness, favor, or approval” and “sincerely or deeply felt.” // ...
05.11.2023 aftermath Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 11, 2023 is: aftermath \AF-ter-math\ noun Aftermath refers to the period of time shortly following a destructive event, or to a negative consequence or result. // It was almost noon before I felt ...
05.10.2023 laden Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 10, 2023 is: laden \LAY-dun\ adjective Laden describes things that are heavily loaded with something, literally or figuratively. // Airline passengers laden with luggage inched slowly through the gate. // His voice was ...
05.09.2023 unctuous Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 9, 2023 is: unctuous \UNK-chuh-wus\ adjective Unctuous is a formal word used to describe someone who speaks and behaves in a way that is meant to seem friendly and polite but that is ...
05.08.2023 deepfake Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 8, 2023 is: deepfake \DEEP-fayk\ noun Deepfake refers to an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done ...
05.07.2023 satiate Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 7, 2023 is: satiate \SAY-shee-ayt\ verb Satiate is a formal word that means “to satisfy (something, such as a need or desire) fully.” // My curiosity about Nicole’s Spring Fling costume, which she ...
05.06.2023 fulcrum Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 6, 2023 is: fulcrum \FULL-krum\ noun In technical use, fulcrum refers to the support on which a lever moves when it is used to lift something. In figurative use, fulcrum refers to a ...
05.05.2023 eponymous Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 5, 2023 is: eponymous \ih-PAH-nuh-mus\ adjective Eponymous is used to describe something named for a person or group (as in “Merriam-Webster, an eponymous publishing company named for George and Charles Merriam and Noah ...
05.04.2023 chivalry Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 4, 2023 is: chivalry \SHIV-ul-ree\ noun Chivalry refers to the qualities of the ideal [knight](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight), such as honor, generosity, and courtesy—in other words, an honorable and polite way of behaving toward others. It ...
05.03.2023 importune Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 3, 2023 is: importune \im-per-TOON\ verb To importune someone is to annoy or pester them with repeated questions or requests. // Several students importuned the professor to extend the deadline of the lengthy ...
05.02.2023 plausible Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 2, 2023 is: plausible \PLAW-zuh-bul\ adjective Plausible means "seemingly fair, reasonable, or valuable but often not so" or "appearing worthy of belief." // One problem with the horror movie is that the plot ...
05.01.2023 Beltane Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 1, 2023 is: Beltane \BEL-tayn\ noun Beltane refers to the Celtic May Day festival. // She looks forward to the festivities and traditions her town has kept alive to celebrate Beltane each year. ...
04.30.2023 sinecure Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 30, 2023 is: sinecure \SYE-nih-kyoor\ noun Sinecure is a noun that refers to a usually paid job or position that requires little or no work. // The king was in the habit of ...
04.29.2023 expedite Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 29, 2023 is: expedite \EK-spuh-dyte\ verb To expedite something is to speed up its process or progress. Expedite can also mean “to carry out promptly.” // To expedite the processing of your request, ...
04.28.2023 arboreal Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 28, 2023 is: arboreal \ahr-BOR-ee-ul\ adjective Arboreal is a literary term that means “of or relating to trees.” It can also mean “living in or often found in trees,” as in “arboreal monkeys.” ...
04.27.2023 vicissitudes Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 27, 2023 is: vicissitudes \vuh-SISS-uh-toodz\ noun plural The word vicissitudes usually refers to events or situations that occur by chance. It can also apply specifically to the difficulties or hardships, usually beyond one's ...
04.26.2023 carouse Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 26, 2023 is: carouse \kuh-ROWZ ("OW" as in 'cow')\ verb Carouse means "to drink alcohol, make noise, and have fun with other people." // After a long night of carousing around Puerto Vallarta, ...
04.25.2023 orthography Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 25, 2023 is: orthography \or-THAH-gruh-fee\ noun Orthography refers to “correct spelling,” or “the art of writing words with the proper letters according to standard usage.” // As the winner of several spelling bees, ...
04.24.2023 reprehensible Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 24, 2023 is: reprehensible \rep-rih-HEN-suh-bul\ adjective Reprehensible is a formal word that means “worthy of or deserving blame or very strong criticism.” // A recent news article called for the mayor's resignation, citing ...
04.23.2023 gravamen Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 23, 2023 is: gravamen \gruh-VAY-mun\ noun Gravamen is a formal word that refers to the significant part of a complaint or grievance. // The gravamen of Walter’s letter to the editor was that ...
04.22.2023 beguile Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 22, 2023 is: beguile \bih-GHYLE\ verb To beguile is to attract or interest someone, or to trick or deceive them. // He beguiled the audience with his smooth and seductive voice. // She ...
04.21.2023 wistful Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 21, 2023 is: wistful \WIST-ful\ adjective To be wistful is to be full of or to inspire [yearning](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearning) or desire tinged with [melancholy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melancholy). Wistful can also mean “suggestive of sad thoughtfulness.” // As ...
04.20.2023 fortitude Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 20, 2023 is: fortitude \FOR-tuh-tood\ noun Fortitude is a formal word that refers to the strength of mind that enables someone to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. Less formal ...
04.19.2023 undergird Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 19, 2023 is: undergird \un-der-GHERD\ verb Undergird means “to strengthen or support (something) from below” or “to form the basis or foundation of.” // Their way of life is undergirded by religious faith. ...
04.18.2023 dolorous Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 18, 2023 is: dolorous \DOH-luh-rus\ adjective Dolorous means "causing, marked by, or expressing misery or grief." // The [acerbic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acerbic) and dolorous writings of Charles Bukowski garnered praise among lovers of poetry depicting the ...

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

What's Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day about?

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day episodes:

trenchant

yips

concatenate

meet-cute

obstinate

gist

enthrall

nemesis

sacrosanct

flavedo

interpolate

sapient

hobbyhorse

adumbrate

bower

officious

gamut

telegenic

censure

zephyr

rarefied

disapprobation

maudlin

engender

florescence

cordial

aftermath

laden

unctuous

deepfake

satiate

fulcrum

eponymous

chivalry

importune

plausible

Beltane

sinecure

expedite

arboreal

vicissitudes

carouse

orthography

reprehensible

gravamen

beguile

wistful

fortitude

undergird

dolorous