Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 22, 2024 is: palpable \PAL-puh-bul\ adjective Something described as palpable is obvious and notable. Palpable may also be used as a synonym of [tangible](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tangible) to describe something that can be perceived by one's sense of touch. // The tension in the courtroom was palpable as the jury foreman stood to announce the verdict. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palpable) ...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 21, 2024 is: noblesse oblige \noh-BLESS-uh-BLEEZH\ noun Noblesse oblige refers to the idea that people who have high social rank or wealth should be helpful and generous to people of lower rank or to people who are poor. // As the inheritor of a great fortune, he was raised to have a strong sense of noblesse oblige, not only volunteering and donating to charity, but advocating for structural change to address inequality. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 20, 2024 is: gingerly \JIN-jer-lee\ adjective An act or manner described as gingerly is very cautious or careful. // It’s a delicate subject, and we need to approach it with gingerly care and [tact](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tact). // The antelope moved with a gingerly gait that suggested it was hurt. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gingerly) Examples: “Note: bears do not in a gingerly...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 19, 2024 is: underwhelm \un-der-WELM\ verb To underwhelm someone is to fail to impress or excite them. // Despite the hype, the movie underwhelmed most reviewers, who criticized its slow pace and poor special effects. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underwhelm) Examples: "Wake me up when NBA All-Star Weekend ends. Let’s start with the Dunk Contest, which is supposed to be the most exciting event. It...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 18, 2024 is: qua \KWAH\ preposition Qua is a preposition used in formal speech or writing that means “in the capacity or character of (someone or something).” It is used synonymously with [as](https://bit.ly/3uUyo87) to indicate that someone or something is being referred to or thought about in a particular way. // The artist qua artist is less interesting to me than the artist as a human being. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 17, 2024 is: circumlocution \ser-kum-loh-KYOO-shun\ noun Circumlocution refers to the use of many words to say something that could be said more clearly and directly with fewer words. Usually encountered in formal speech and writing, circumlocution can also refer to speech that is intentionally [evasive](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evasive). // The judge coughed and pointed to her watch, clearly impatient with the attorney's...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 16, 2024 is: inalienable \in-AY-lee-uh-nuh-bul\ adjective Something considered inalienable is impossible to take away or give up. // The American ethos is built on the belief that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inalienable) Examples: "Despite the hurdles, comedians continue to negotiate their inalienable need to do stand-up to the point...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 15, 2024 is: purloin \per-LOYN\ verb To purloin is to take something that belongs to someone else—that is, to steal it. Purloin is much more formal-sounding than [steal](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steal), but is often—though not always—encountered in humorous contexts, suggesting that the theft is not serious. // The puppy managed to purloin a few cookies from the plate when no one was looking. // The studio stepped up security,...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 14, 2024 is: furlong \FER-lawng\ noun A furlong is a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about 201 meters), and is used chiefly in horse racing. // To win the [Kentucky Derby](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Kentucky-Derby), a [Thoroughbred](https://bit.ly/3wks5uF) must run 10 furlongs, or one and 1/4 miles. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furlong) Examples: “My battle with this monster began a...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 13, 2024 is: brusque \BRUSK\ adjective A person may be described as brusque when they are talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way. Brusque can also describe speech that is noticeably short and abrupt. // We knew something was wrong when our normally easygoing professor was brusque and impatient with our class. // She asked for a cup of coffee and received a brusque reply: “We don't have any.” [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 12, 2024 is: surfeit \SER-fut\ noun Surfeit is a formal word that refers to an amount or supply that is too much or more than you need. It is synonymous with the word [excess](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excess). // The organization ended up with a surfeit of volunteers who simply got in each other's way. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surfeit) Examples: "Pet owners can have a tougher...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 11, 2024 is: discomfit \diss-KUM-fit\ verb To discomfit someone is to make them confused or upset. Discomfit is a formal synonym of the also formal (but slightly less so) [disconcert](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconcert). // Jacob was discomfited by the new employee’s forward, probing questions. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discomfit) Examples: “Bosley Crowther, chief film critic for...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 10, 2024 is: vicarious \vye-KAIR-ee-us\ adjective A vicarious emotion or experience is one felt by watching, hearing about, or reading about someone else rather than by doing something yourself. // He felt a vicarious thrill as his daughter crossed the stage to accept her diploma. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vicarious) Examples: “That [Jagger](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mick-Jagger) can...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 9, 2024 is: aegis \EE-jus\ noun Aegis is a formal word that refers to the power to protect, control, or support something or someone. It is often used in the phrase under the aegis of. // The issue will be decided under the aegis of an international organization. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aegis) Examples: “French President Emmanuel Macron visited Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday, one year before its...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 8, 2024 is: fatuous \FATCH-oo-us\ adjective To describe something, such as an idea or remark, as fatuous is to say that it is foolish or silly rather than sensible or logical. // Our hopes for an apology and a reasonable explanation for the error were met with fatuous platitudes. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatuous) Examples: "... when I was first admitted to the emergency room at Swedish's hospital...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 7, 2024 is: conjecture \kun-JEK-cher\ verb Conjecture is a formal synonym of the verb [guess](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guess) that means “to form an opinion or idea without proof or sufficient evidence.” // Some scientists have conjectured that Jupiter’s moon Europa could sustain life. [See the entry >](https://bit.ly/49uH2J1) Examples: “In the week since the news of the thefts broke, the case has been the subject...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 6, 2024 is: redoubt \rih-DOUT\ noun Redoubt can refer specifically to a small building or area that provides soldiers with protection from attack, or more broadly to any safe or protected place, whether literal or figurative. // A massive stone redoubt at the entrance of the bay guarded the city. // The refugees gathered in a hilly redoubt several miles from the outskirts of town. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 5, 2024 is: meticulous \muh-TIK-yuh-lus\ adjective Something or someone described as meticulous shows extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details. // He is meticulous about keeping accurate records. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meticulous) Examples: "In a press release, the company touts its meticulous approach to the sandwich's creation—testing pickles with eight variations...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 4, 2024 is: praxis \PRAK-sis\ noun Praxis is a formal word referring to the practical application of a theory—in other words, what one does to act on a theory (such as feminist theory) to which one is committed. Praxis is also used synonymously with action or practice to refer to the exercise of an art, science, or skill, or to customary conduct within a given sphere. // Many gardeners promote composting as being good environmental praxis....

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 3, 2024 is: lambaste \lam-BAYST\ verb To lambaste something or someone is to criticize them very harshly. Lambaste is also sometimes used as a synonym of [beat](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beat) meaning “to assault.” // The coach lambasted the team for its poor play. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste) Examples: “They come and go like pop songs and can make your head spin. Boiled...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 2, 2024 is: ethereal \ih-THEER-ee-ul\ adjective Ethereal means "of or relating to the regions beyond the earth" or "of or resembling heaven." It can also mean "lacking material substance" and "relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical [ether](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ether)." // The windows give the church an ethereal glow. // The images of the underwater cave show a strange world of ethereal beauty. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 1, 2024 is: shambles \SHAM-bulz\ noun Shambles refers to a place or state in which there is great confusion, disorder, or destruction. // The house party they had over the weekend left the entire living room in shambles. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shambles) Examples: "In this film, three friends … reconnect and find themselves attempting to relive the glory days after suffering several defeats that...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 31, 2024 is: expiate \EK-spee-ayt\ verb Expiate is a formal word that typically means “to atone or make amends for something, such as a sin or offense.” // Although the editorial had characterized the mayor's failure to disclose the details of the meeting as a lapse that could not be expiated, many of the city's citizens seemed ready to forgive all. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expiate) Examples: ...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 30, 2024 is: haphazard \hap-HAZZ-erd\ adjective Something haphazard has no apparent plan, order, or direction. // Considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haphazard) Examples: "It felt like winter for the first time that year, and Theo remembered how much she preferred the dark, the secrecy, of the season....