Use this page to scan recent stories from Merriam Webster, see the themes that keep appearing, and jump into complete story briefs.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 29, 2026 is: argot \AHR-goh\ noun Argot refers to the language or set of words used by a particular group of people. // The novels were such a success that fans began communicating in the secret argot spoken by the series’ characters. See the entry > Examples: “ [Lenn
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 26, 2026 is: confabulate В• \kun-FAB-yuh-layt\В В• verb Confabulate has two very different meanings. Most of the time, to confabulate is to generate a false memory by filling in memory gaps with fabrications. An older meaning, still in use, is "to talk informally; to chat
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 24, 2026 is: pundit \PUN-dit\ noun A pundit is someone, especially an expert, who presents their opinions and ideas on a particular subject via the media. // Grandpa likes watching political pundits spar about the issues of the day on the Sunday morning talk shows. Se
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 23, 2026 is: compendious \kum-PEN-dee-us\ adjective A compendious book, research paper, article, etc. is one that provides most or all of the information one may want or require. Similarly, a person might be said to have compendious knowledge of a subject if they have
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 28, 2026 is: fungible \FUN-juh-bul\ adjective Fungible describes things, such as currency, goods, and commodities, that can be exchanged for something else of the same kind or value. In broader usage, fungible can also mean “interchangeable,” as well as “readily chang
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 25, 2026 is: tactile В• \TAK-tul\В В• adjective Tactile typically describes something, such as a sensation or experience, relating to the sense of touch. It can also be used specifically to describe something that is perceptible by touch. // With the introduction of hapti
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 27, 2026 is: bellwether В• \BEL-WEH-ther\В В• noun Bellwether usually refers to something that serves as an indicator of trends. It can also refer to someone or something that leads others. // Event organizers say the concert series is a bellwether , demonstrating that go
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 22, 2026 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, Nemesis refers to the Greek goddess of vengeance. // She will be playing against her old nemesis for the championship. Se
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 21, 2026 is: elegiac • \el-uh-JYE-ak\ • adjective Elegiac means “of, relating to, or comprising an elegy ," an elegy being a sorrowful poem or song, and especially one that expresses sorrow for someone who is dead. Elegiac often describes a poem, song, piece of writi
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 20, 2026 is: volition \voh-LISH-un\ noun Volition is a formal word that means “the power to make your own choices or decisions.” Usually, though not always, volition follows own , as in “left the company of her own volition.” // Every choice I made was of my own volit
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 16, 2026 is: facsimile \fak-SIM-uh-lee\ noun A facsimile is an exact copy of something. The word facsimile is also still sometimes used to refer to a system of transmitting and reproducing graphic matter, such as printed text or photos, though the word fax is more com
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 19, 2026 is: aggrandize • \uh-GRAN-dyze\ • verb To aggrandize someone (or something) is to enhance their power, wealth, position, or reputation. Aggrandize can also mean "to increase or enlarge" or "to praise highly." // Critics of the book argue that the author aggran
Open the app view when you want faster scanning, saved stories, and source-focused reading in one place.