Oxford University Press Declares “Rage Bait” Word of the Year 2025
The Oxford University Press has declared “rage bait” as its Word of the Year for 2025. This term describes content strategically designed to provoke anger and outrage online, a tactic that has tripled in usage in the last year. Rage bait aims to boost engagement on websites and social media platforms, much like clickbait, but with a specific focus on eliciting negative emotions. The selection highlights a shift in online manipulation, as platforms increasingly exploit and influence user emotions.
John Q. Hosedrinker