Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 23, 2024 is: palaver \puh-LAV-er\ noun Palaver is an informal word that usually refers to unimportant or meaningless talk. It can also refer to misleading or deceptive speech, or to a conference or discussion. In British English the word is sometimes used as a synonym of fuss to refer to unnecessary excitement about something. // Enough of this palaver. We have more important things to discuss. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 22, 2024 is: betwixt \bih-TWIKST\ adverb or preposition Betwixt is a synonym of between that lends an old-fashioned feel to both speech and writing. It is sometimes used in the phrase "betwixt and between" to mean "in the middle" or "neither one thing nor the other." // Charley took a seat betwixt two other passengers. // They sat on the long bench, a pile of books betwixt them. // The novel's protagonist is at the edge of early adulthood,...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 21, 2024 is: intransigent \in-TRAN-suh-junt\ adjective Intransigent is a formal word that describes a person who refuses to compromise or abandon an often extreme position or attitude. It can also describe a thing, such as a system or point of view, that shows the same kind of stubbornness. // Despite the mediator's best efforts, the opposing sides in the dispute remained intransigent. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 20, 2024 is: defenestration \dee-fen-uh-STRAY-shun\ noun Defenestration is most often used to refer to a usually swift dismissal or expulsion, as from a political party or office. It is also used to refer to a throwing of a person or thing out of a window. // Once fancying itself something of a [big tent](https://bit.ly/3WIWuN2), the group now seeks the defenestration of any local leader who isn't aligned with the current mayor's...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 19, 2024 is: appreciable \uh-PREE-shuh-bul\ adjective Appreciable describes things that can be perceived or measured. // Researchers found that the temperature change made no appreciable difference in the chemical reaction. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appreciable) Examples: “Digital transformations have made an appreciable impact on society. Whether it's conspicuous guidance or subtle suggestion,...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 18, 2024 is: zest \ZEST\ noun Zest refers to an enjoyably exciting quality, or to keen enjoyment itself. In culinary use, zest refers to small pieces of the peel of a lemon, lime, orange, or other citrus fruit used as flavoring. // His humor added zest to the presentation's admittedly dry material. // The couple has a zest for travel and adventure. // Lime zest adds a burst of brightness to the dessert's rich flavor. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 17, 2024 is: fugacious \fyoo-GAY-shus\ adjective Fugacious is a formal word that describes something that lasts only a short time. // The rock band’s early success proved fugacious; within two years its members had moved on to other careers. // Savor the enduring pleasures of life as intensely as the fugacious ones. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fugacious) Examples: “The Handel & Hendrix...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 16, 2024 is: exact \ig-ZAKT\ verb To exact something (such as payment or revenge) is to demand it and get it, especially by using force or threats. Exact is also used in phrases like "exact a terrible toll" and "exact a high/heavy price" to say that something has caused a lot of suffering, loss, etc. // The novel's protagonist is undeterred by either time or circumstance in her effort to exact revenge. // Our mistakes exacted a heavy...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 15, 2024 is: rendition \ren-DISH-un\ noun A rendition, simply put, is the act or result of [rendering](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rendering) something. That thing may be a performance or interpretation, a [depiction](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depiction), or a [translation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/translation). In US law, rendition refers to the surrender by a state of a fugitive to another...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 14, 2024 is: taciturn \TASS-uh-tern\ adjective Taciturn is a formal word that describes someone who tends to be quiet or who tends to speak infrequently. // One of the twins was taciturn and shy, while the other one was more outgoing. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taciturn) Examples: “[Joan Didion](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joan-Didion) looks straight at the camera, with her fist curled...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 13, 2024 is: ideate \EYE-dee-ayt\ verb To ideate is to form an idea or conception of something. // Jocelyn used the education seminar's lunch hour to talk with other teachers and ideate new activities to use in the classroom. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideate) Examples: “Well, luckily, at the same time that I was working within these industry spaces, I was also building ARRAY. It’s over a decade...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 12, 2024 is: verbatim \ver-BAY-tim\ adverb Verbatim is an adverb meaning "in the exact words," or in other words, "word for word." // The coach was quoted verbatim in the article announcing that she would retire at the end of the season. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbatim) Examples: "The case is drawn from astonishing real-life events and much of the dialogue is lifted verbatim from court...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 11, 2024 is: scapegoat \SKAYP-goat\ noun A scapegoat is a person who is unfairly blamed for something others have done. // The CFO was made the scapegoat for the company’s failures. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scapegoat) Examples: "It's a lively, funny movie, as more of Littlehampton's locals start getting aggressive letters packed with the same redundant profanity, and respond to them with...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 10, 2024 is: numinous \NOO-muh-nus\ adjective Numinous is a formal, often literary, word that typically describes things that have a mysterious or spiritual quality. It can also describe something holy or something that appeals to one's aesthetic sense. // We were overcome by the numinous atmosphere of the catacombs. // The artist's sculptures dominate the space, their numinous presence welcoming museum-goers to a foreign world. [See the...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 9, 2024 is: coruscate \KOR-uh-skayt\ verb To coruscate is to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes. Coruscate is used as a synonym of [sparkle](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparkle) and may also be used to mean "to be brilliant or showy in technique or style." // She placed a bid on a classic car from the 1950s, [replete](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replete) with yards of coruscating chrome. [See...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 8, 2024 is: exorbitant \ig-ZOR-buh-tunt\ adjective Exorbitant describes something that goes far beyond what is fair, reasonable, or expected (as by being too high, too expensive, etc.). // The cost of our stay was so exorbitant you would have thought that we had bought the hotel and not just spent a few nights there. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exorbitant) Examples: “Facing budgetary pressure and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 7, 2024 is: lèse-majesté \layz-MAJ-uh-stee\ noun Lèse-majesté (less commonly spelled lese majesty) can refer to a true crime or offense, or to something likened to a crime or offense. Most often, it’s the latter, with lèse-majesté referring—seriously or playfully—to an act of disrespect that diminishes the dignity or importance of someone or something. In the former use, lèse-majesté refers to a crime (such as treason) that is committed against...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 6, 2024 is: berate \bih-RAYT\ verb To berate someone is to angrily scold or criticize them, often loudly and at length. // “Don’t berate yourself over canceling plans,” his friend told him. “Sometimes you just need to take care of yourself.” [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berate) Examples: “The autonomous vehicles, which provide tens of thousands of rides each week, have been torched, stomped on, and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 5, 2024 is: adversary \AD-ver-sair-ee\ noun An adversary is an enemy or opponent. // Upon learning that its adversaries were ahead in sales, the company quickly formed a new advertising campaign. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adversary) Examples: “... These students will not be better off if they know how to add up a grocery bill but have no clue about how to deal with an adversary from 10 years ago...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 4, 2024 is: gossamer \GAH-suh-mer\ adjective Something described as gossamer—such as a butterfly wing or a thin fabric—is very light or delicate. // Except for a few gossamer clouds, the sky was clear and blue. [See the entry >](https://bit.ly/3AOjP8K) Examples: "At the bookstore, the crowd was largely made up of teen-agers, many of whom had donned costumes: gossamer pink tutus and oversized hair bows that evoked Marie Antoinette's...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 3, 2024 is: posterity \pah-STAIR-uh-tee\ noun Posterity is a formal word that refers to all future generations of people. It is often, though not always, used with for or to. // A record of the events was preserved for posterity. // The truth about what happened was lost to posterity. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/posterity) Examples: “In that moment, Callie and I entered the full measure of our...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 2, 2024 is: fret \FRET\ verb To fret is to worry or be concerned. // I was sure we wouldn’t get there in time, but they told me not to fret. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fret) Examples: “Many communal laundry spaces have rules posted, but over time, they can get lost, forgotten or ignored. If you find yourself in uncertain waters about how to be a good neighbor, don’t fret. We asked laundry and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 1, 2024 is: chthonic \THAH-nik\ adjective Chthonic means "of or relating to the [underworld](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underworld)." It is used as a synonym of [infernal](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infernal). // Cleo compared entering her brother's basement bedroom to a descent into chthonic regions: it was dark and odd-smelling, and she was a little frightened of what she might find there. [See the entry...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 30, 2024 is: tribulation \trib-yuh-LAY-shun\ noun Tribulation, which is often used in the phrase "trials and tribulations," refers to an experience that causes suffering. It can also mean "unhappiness, pain, or suffering." // The new graduate knew that the journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur would come with some trials and tribulations. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribulation) Examples: ...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 29, 2024 is: feckless \FECK-lus\ adjective Feckless describes people or things that are weak or ineffective. // The agency’s response to the dramatic increase in air pollution was well-intentioned but ultimately feckless. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feckless) Examples: "The players streamed down Columbus Avenue, serenading passersby with the Tilted Axes theme song; a pedestrian stopped and...