As a writer, I often stew about just the right word selection. My goal is to share my thoughts as clearly as possible, with all of the subtleties and nuances that are in my mind at the time. For that reason, I often spend time with Merriam-Webster. I want to understand word trends and what they may say about society.

I recently looked up each “Word of the Year,” as determined by Merriam-Webster, for two five-year spans. After all, words are a foundation of communication — the vocal and written expression of our thoughts, dreams, beliefs and fears. They reflect how we see ourselves, and others.

When we write or speak, we tend focus on how we view the world. Our world. That’s why professional communicators have always understood the importance of working to understand where others are coming from. They’re coming from their world. If we can’t relate to others, we can’t really connect. We’re just making confusing sounds and drawing odd images.

So, words are important. Why? Because they determine how we view the world and how we think others view the world. Even more important is understanding the meanings behind them. Consider 2024’s Word of the Year: Polarization.

Merriam-Webster selects its Word of the Year by analyzing online dictionary lookup trends. They identify words that have significantly increased in interest over the past year, reflecting current events and cultural shifts. The chosen word encapsulates a relevant concept or theme of the year.

Language evolves to reflect emerging trends and societal changes. New vocabulary and altered meanings arise in response to movements, technology and social issues. It fosters understanding and drives further cultural transformation. Words acts as both a reflection of, and a vehicle for, cultural trends.

Here is a list of the Words of the Year for the past five years: 2024 — polarization; 2023 — authentic; 2022 — gaslighting; 2021 — vaccine; and 2020 — pandemic. What do they tell us?

These terms are connected through their relevance to current social and political issues. Let’s take a look. Polarization highlights societal divisions, particularly in politics and beliefs. Authentic reflects the demand for transparency and genuine interactions in a distrustful environment. Gaslighting involves manipulation and distortion of truth, relevant in personal and societal contexts. Vaccine and pandemic relate to health crises, addressing public trust in science and authority. They encapsulate themes of trust, truth and division in contemporary discourse.

Let’s look at another list of words: 2010 — austerity; 2011 — pragmatic; 2012 — (for the first time two words tied) socialism and capitalism; 2013 — science; and 2014 — culture.

These words all share common ground due to their collective influence on society and daily life. Why? Culture refers to the shared beliefs and behaviors of a group. Science is the systematic study of nature, driving innovation and understanding. Socialism and capitalism are competing economic systems that shape how wealth and resources are managed. Pragmatic means focusing on practical solutions to real-world problems. Austerity involves tough policies aimed at reducing spending, often impacting social services. Together, these terms reflect key concepts that shape societal structures and individual experiences. They explore the interplay between beliefs, economic systems, practical approaches and societal norms.

But, I do keep my word selection in perspective. As my 7th grade best friend reminded me with confidence, “Just remember that most people aren’t going to understand you at all, so just say, ‘I know you believe what you thought you heard me say. I’m just not sure you realize that what you heard is probably not what I meant.’” Touche.

Stacy Cornay is the owner of Communication Concepts Public Relations & Advertising. She may be reached at 303-638-7127; scornay@comm-concepts.com; www.comm-concepts.com; Facebook.com/Communication Concepts; X @CommConceptsPR; or Linked In.