Doomscrolling’s New Threats
The term “rage bait” has gained recognition, being dubbed the word of the year for 2025. This title, awarded by Oxford University Press, describes online content aimed at provoking anger or outrage, often by being irritating or offensive, and is typically used to drive traffic or engagement on web pages.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the phrases “outrage” and “bait” saw a “triple increase” in usage over the past year, indicating a growing awareness of the negative impacts that online life can have, despite its advantages.
The selected words each year mirror the conversations and climate of the past twelve months. Given the contentious nature of news in 2025, experts at OUP suggest that this increased focus on anger-inducing content signifies a shift in how we approach attention, engagement, and online ethics.
Casper Grasswohl, president of Oxford Languages, noted that the rise of the term highlights our growing awareness of manipulative online tactics. “Previously, the internet was more about piquing curiosity for clicks. Now, it seems our emotional reactions are being more deeply influenced,” he remarked. Grasswohl emphasized this evolution reflects ongoing discussions about human existence in an increasingly technology-driven society.
Interestingly, the concept of “anger bait” actually predates social media trolling. It was first used in a Usenet post back in 2002, referring to a particular type of driver incited by another requesting to pass. Over time, this has shifted to describe content that intentionally stirs anger online.
What started as a specific usage has morphed into a slang term that defines viral posts created to elicit anger, often criticizing the broader network of content shaping our online interactions.
“Rage bait” managed to outshine two other notable contenders for the word of the year: “aura farming” and “biohack.” Aura farming is described as cultivating a memorable public persona aimed at projecting confidence or intrigue. Conversely, biohacking involves enhancing physical or mental performance through lifestyle shifts and various means, like diet or technology.
Some may wonder if Oxford University is unnecessarily stoking these fires by awarding two words of the year. The publisher clarified that the award can go to single words or phrases, and they consider them as cohesive units of meaning.
The term “ragebait” itself fuses “rage,” denoting a violent emotional outburst, with “bait,” which typically means a tempting morsel. This combination creates a term that more specifically captures the current online landscape.
The previous year’s selection, “brain rot,” referred to a perceived decline in mental sharpness due to overconsumption of trivial online content. Grasswohl pointed out that while “brain rot” identified the mental toll of endless scrolling, “anger fodder” emphasizes content designed to provoke outrage and garner attention. Together, they highlight a powerful cycle where anger drives engagement, algorithms amplify it, and constant exposure leads to mental fatigue.
In a separate announcement, Dictionary.com identified “6 7” as its word of the year for 2025, noting that it resists definitions and embodies a sense of ambiguity. Often expressed with a shrug, it represents uncertainty or indecision. Meanwhile, the Cambridge Dictionary named “parasocial” as its word of the year, referring to the phenomenon where one feels a personal connection to a public figure without any real-world interaction.
