Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 11, 2026 is: xeric • \ZEER-ik\  • adjective Xeric means "characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture." // She is a botanist who primarily studies xeric plants. See the entry > Examples: "Thoughtfully designed xeric , or low-water, landscapes can be dynamic, layered and full of color. Native plants and those a...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 10, 2026 is: effulgence • \ih-FULL-junss\  • noun Effulgence means “radiant splendor” or “brilliance.” // Guests oohed and aahed at the sudden effulgence of the pagoda, as the last of its hundreds of candles were finally lit. See the entry > Examples: “No one knows who suggested that the building be lit at night. But the obvious inspiration...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 9, 2026 is: tacit • \TASS-it\  • adjective Tacit is a formal adjective used to describe something that is expressed or understood without being directly stated. // As roommates, we had a tacit agreement that we would never pry into each other’s affairs. See the entry > Examples: “Where modern documentaries are slick productions filled with...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 8, 2026 is: gambol • \GAM-bul\  • verb Gambol means "to run or jump in a lively way." It is used as a synonym of frolic . // There are few sights more charming than that of lambs gamboling about in a meadow in full flower. See the entry > Examples: "There's also charming footage of a couple gamboling in Central Park that might be some of th...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 7, 2026 is: perfunctory • \per-FUNK-tuh-ree\  • adjective Perfunctory is a formal word used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or because it is expected. // By the time my favorite band got to the last stop of the tour, their performance felt perfunctory . See the entry > Examples: “Even a perfu...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 6, 2026 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 or said. // The leaked video incriminating the school's dean was discovered to be a deepfake . See the entry > Examples: "Overa...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 5, 2026 is: acquisitive • \uh-KWIZ-uh-tiv\  • adjective Someone or something described as acquisitive is characterized by a strong desire to own or acquire more things. // The game aims to teach middle schoolers to balance their acquisitive instincts with a consideration of what will benefit society as a whole. See the entry > Examples: “Th...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 4, 2026 is: semiquincentennial • \sem-ee-kwin-sen-TEN-ee-ul\  • noun Semiquincentennial refers to a 250th anniversary or its celebration. The word can also be used as an adjective to describe something related to or associated with such an anniversary or its celebration, as in “semiquincentennial festivities.” // The town’s annual fireworks...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 3, 2026 is: corrode • \kuh-ROHD\  • verb Corrode means "to slowly break apart and destroy (metal, an object, etc.) through a chemical process" or "to undergo such a process." It is also used as a synonym of undermine to mean "to gradually destroy or weaken." // Several sections of the pipe have corroded and will need to be replaced. // Year...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 2, 2026 is: sagacious • \suh-GAY-shus\  • adjective Someone or something described as sagacious has or shows an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions. Sagacious may be considered a formal synonym of wise and discerning . // Student reviews paint the writing professor as a sagacious mentor and a comp...