'Rage Bait' Named Oxford's Word of the Year

Oxford University Press (OUP) has announced "rage bait" as its Word of the Year for 2025. This choice was made through a combination of public voting and analysis of OUP's language data, surpassing contenders like "aura farming" and "biohack." "Rage bait" refers to online content specifically designed to provoke anger and increase internet traffic. OUP noted that the usage of this term has tripled in the past year.

Casper Grathwohl, OUP's president, remarked that the growing use of such language indicates how digital platforms are significantly shaping human thought and behaviour. It reflects the polarising and often extreme nature of contemporary online culture, which is driven by algorithms that prioritise sensational content. This selection is part of a broader trend, as nearly all major dictionaries have chosen words related to the internet for 2025, underscoring technology's pervasive impact on daily life and language.