A strong undercurrent of disapproval and skepticism runs through the 2025 Collins Dictionary Word of the Year list. While the optimistic “vibe coding” took the top spot, the inclusion of cynical terms like “clanker,” “glaze,” and “broligarchy” reveals a language evolving to express modern frustrations.
“Clanker,” a derogatory term for AI, robots, and computers, was a major contender for the top prize. Its viral popularity, drawn from Star Wars, is used to express widespread distrust of AI chatbots and automated systems, capturing a very real techno-skepticism among the public.
Another new term of disapproval is “glaze,” which means to praise or flatter someone excessively or undeservedly. In an online world full of influencers and personality cults, “glaze” has become the primary verb for calling out inauthentic, sycophantic behavior.
Adding to this cynical trifecta is “broligarchy,” a pejorative nickname for the elite class of “tech bros” who lead the world’s largest technology companies. The word, which gained steam after their political appearances, lumps them together as a new ruling class, viewed with suspicion by many.
These three words, all of which gained significant traction this year, function as linguistic tools of resistance. They allow people to voice frustration with unresponsive technology (“clanker”), inauthentic social interactions (“glaze”), and the concentration of power (“broligarchy”).