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 > 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 wasn’t. Most of the dunks, and the judging of said dunks, underwhelmed." — Zachary Pereles, CBS Sports, 19 Feb. 2024 Did you know? Overwhelm and its rare synonym whelm ..read more

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 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 > Examples: “He [Charlie Chaplin] financed his own films; he wrote them; he took music credit; he even choreographed. Most of the cast and crew were on his ..read more

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. // The judge coughed and pointed to her watch, clearly impatient with the attorney's tiresome circumlocutions in defense of his client. See the entry > Examples: “The slight stiltedness of her … English merges with the circumlocution of b ..read more

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 > Examples: "Despite the hurdles, comedians continue to negotiate their inalienable need to do stand-up to the point that money comes as a secondary concern." — Jake Kroeger, The Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2023 Did you know? Alien, alienable, inalienable—it's easy enough to see the ..read more

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, 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, fearing that someone might attempt to purloin a copy of the script for the show’s season finale. See the entry > Examples: “The pitch for every ta ..read more

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, a Thoroughbred must run 10 furlongs, or one and 1/4 miles. See the entry > Examples: “My battle with this monster began a decade ago when a wayward seedling popped up in my perennial bed. It subsequently flowered so gloriously that, like a common dolt, I left it there. What I didn’t realize is that every bloom drops lots of seeds. Even worse, after the plant’s foli ..read more

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 > Examples: “Archaeologists look down on him because of his working-class background, and his brusque manner ..read more

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. // The organization ended up with a surfeit of volunteers who simply got in each other's way. See the entry > Examples: "Pet owners can have a tougher time finding apartments because of the surfeit of landlords who don't allow dogs, cats or other animals in their buildings." — Andrew J. Campa, The Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Did you know? There is an abundance—y ..read more

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 > Examples: “That Jagger can still sing and dance up a storm, at 80, is a triumph for him and should provide a vicarious thrill for anyone who attends a concert by the Rolling Stones next year.” — George Varga, The San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec ..read more

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 > Examples: “French President Emmanuel Macron visited Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday, one year before its scheduled reopening in 2024. … During his visit, Macron paid homage to Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, who oversaw the reconstruction and died in August. Wearing a ..read more