The 2025 Banished Words List is officially out from the Lake Superior State University.
These are words and phrases that we’re no longer using according to submissions from around the world.
This tradition, which started in 1976, continues to capture the public’s attention as it highlights the terms we’ve overused, misused, or just can’t stand anymore.
This year nominations were received from across the globe—everything from the US, Canada, and Australia, to Denmark, Germany, India, and South Africa. The overlap in nominations from different parts of the world emphasizes how we all struggle with the same annoying words and phrases. No matter where you are, there’s always a term that needs to be retired.
In fact, next year will mark the university’s 50th edition of this list, so it’s clear this is a long-standing tradition that people take seriously. And you can still join in on the fun—submissions for next year’s banned words are due by November 1, 2025, at 8 a.m. Eastern. If you’ve got a word that grinds your gears, now’s your chance to make it official!
Here’s What’s Being Banned for 2025
- Cringe
- Game Changer
- Era
- Dropped
- IYKYK (“If you know, you know”)
- Sorry Not Sorry
- Skibidi (Yes, Skibidi, stemming from the Skibidi Toilet YouTube series and meme culture)
- 100%
- Utilize
- Period
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