‘Rage bait’ is Oxford word of the year in 2025. But I think we should be able to decommission words that have brought more trouble than they’re worth, starting with the 2015 runner-up, writes Zoe Williams

The phrase - meaning to get angry scrolling through social media - beats aura farming and biohack to the title.

Rage bait is defined as ‘online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive’

"Rage bait" has been declared Oxford Word of the Year 2025. Three contenders — rage bait, aura farming, and biohack — reflecting conversations and preoccupations over the past…

Existence of phrase – to describe content intended to make you angry – shows people are aware of manipulation tactics used online, says Oxford Dictionary publisher

The president of Oxford University Press said the rising use of such terms reveals 'how digital platforms are reshaping our thinking and behavior.'

The Oxford University Press named a two-word phrase its word of the year for 2025. Hint: It's not six seven.

‘Rage bait’ is Oxford word of the year in 2025. But I think we should be able to decommission words that have brought more trouble than they’re worth, starting with the 2015…