Merriam-Webster’s 2023 word of the year is the real deal

As of now, the pivotal question of truth and facts remains a central focus in contemporary events, and it may not be surprising to discover that "authentic" is Merriam-Webster's word of the year.

The @MerriamWebster word of the year for 2023 is.......Authentic #Mondayvibes pic.twitter.com/EwvrjAlsSW

— 105.9 The Region (@1059TheRegion) November 27, 2023

The online lexicon notes a significant surge in searches for the term's definition in recent years, but 2023 witnessed a "substantial increase," attributed to "stories and conversations about AI, celebrity culture, identity, and social media."

The motivation behind the numerous searches is rooted in the diverse meanings of "authentic," as outlined on the dictionary's website, encompassing "not false or imitation" and "true to one's own personality, spirit, or character."

"Authentic," synonymous with real and actual, is deemed a "desirable quality" by Merriam-Webster and is often associated with expressions of identity, such as in cuisine.

Celebrities Promote Authenticity

The dictionary notes that celebrities like singers Lainey Wilson, Sam Smith, and Taylor Swift have embraced this term, making headlines this year with statements about discovering their "authentic voice" and "authentic self."

Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "authentic," a quality aspired to by celebrities such as Taylor Swift

Elon Musk is also a proponent, previously emphasizing the importance of people being more "authentic" on social media. However, a controversy arose earlier this year when Musk, as the new head of Twitter, now X, removed the trademark blue check sign of authenticity, now only available at a price.

#FPWorld: In an age of deepfakes and post-truth, as artificial intelligence rose and Elon Musk turned Twitter into X, the Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.”

https://t.co/UZ50lWwTd9

— Firstpost (@firstpost) November 27, 2023

The increasing impact of artificial intelligence has blurred the boundaries between what is real and what is not, prompting celebrities, brands, and social media influencers, among others, to underscore their authenticity.

Another term that drew attention in searches this year is the closely related "deepfake."

Defined by Merriam-Webster as "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."

In the age of deepfakes and post-truth, Merriam-Webster word of the year is a reminder for us to be more.. Read on to find out! https://t.co/oCiKuIC3zY

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) November 27, 2023

Searches for this term spiked in April and early May, particularly when Musk's lawyers argued against him giving legal testimony, contending that some of his public statements might have been deepfakes. The argument was rejected. A notable news story involving deepfake images in 2023 depicted images seemingly showing former President Donald Trump being detained by police in a dramatic fashion back in March.

In 2022, Merriam-Webster selected "gaslighting" as its word of the year, highlighting its prevalence in the "age of misinformation."

Other words that drove significant traffic to the online dictionary in 2023 included coronation, dystopian, indict, and doppelgänger.

Meanwhile, "rizz" surged to the "top of lookups" in September when the example of internet-driven slang was added to the dictionary.

For the uninitiated, Merriam-Webster clarified: "As a noun, rizz means 'romantic appeal or charm' (as in 'a bro who has rizz'); as a verb (typically used with up, as in 'rizz up that cutie') it means 'to charm or seduce.'"

The Quest for Authenticity in a World of Fakes

The desire for authenticity is particularly relevant in today's world of ubiquitous technology, where deepfakes and other forms of misinformation can blur the lines between truth and fiction. In this context, authenticity serves as a beacon of genuineness, reminding us of the value of being true to ourselves and others.

What’s Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2023? Hint: Be true to yourself https://t.co/l8KnsODUR2 pic.twitter.com/IXT2QmKqh8

— New York Post (@nypost) November 27, 2023

The Future of Authenticity

The growing interest in authenticity is a positive trend, and there is reason to believe that it will continue in the years to come. As we become more aware of the importance of authenticity and its impact on our lives, we can expect to see a shift towards a more genuine and interconnected society.

Merriam-Webster's choice of "authentic" as the Word of the Year is a timely reminder of the importance of being true to ourselves in a world that often values artifice and illusion. It is a call to action to embrace our individuality, challenge the status quo, and strive for a more authentic world.