Words that have worn out their welcome

Certain words and phrases rise to prominence every year, capturing the zeitgeist. Every December, I love reading the words of the year from the major dictionaries. For 2024, Merriam-Webster chose “polarization” as its word of the year, Oxford University Press selected “brain rot,” and Cambridge chose “manifest.” Each of these words paints a picture of the challenges, trends, and transformations that defined the past year, inviting us to reflect on what shaped our shared experience.

Equally fun to read is the Banished Words List from Lake Superior State University in Michigan. Since the 1970s, they’ve chosen words that are overused, useless, or have lost their meaning. Their 2025 Banished Words List includes terms like “cringe,” “era,” “game changer,” and “utilize.” The list is entertaining, and it’s also a reminder that when words are repeated endlessly—in articles and books, on social media, and across headlines—they become clichés, draining nuance and specificity from our writing.

Reflecting on my work as an editor over the past year, I’ve compiled a list of words that I think are overused or misused. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider—or even retire—how we use them.

1. Journey

When did everything become a journey? From fitness journeys to self-discovery journeys, this word has been stretched to its limit. While it’s meant to convey personal growth, it can feel overblown or insincere when applied too broadly. If we’re writing about personal growth, alternatives like “process,” “transition,” or “evolution” can feel fresher and more precise.

2. Unpack

“Unpack” has become a very popular way to describe analyzing or exploring a topic, and I often come across it in articles I edit. It has a place, but its overuse makes it sound less thoughtful. Can we agree to use it less frequently? Words like “examine,” “consider,” “deconstruct,” or “break down” are solid alternatives.

3. Intentional

While being “intentional” sounds admirable, it’s often used as a buzzword that adds little meaning to a sentence. Instead of using “intentional,” we could use words like “deliberate,” “mindful,” or “purposeful.”

4. Trigger

Originally a clinical term related to trauma, “trigger” is now used to describe anything that causes discomfort or annoyance. This casual use can undermine its serious implications. Then there’s the association with guns and gun violence. I think we should reserve “trigger” for contexts where its gravity is warranted.

“Trigger warning” is another term that I came across a few times this year while working on challenging material that contained distressing content. The authors ultimately chose to use “content warning,” a subtle shift that felt more thoughtful and inclusive.

5. Special needs

When I edit publications for educators, I often encounter the term “special needs” to describe children with disabilities. There’s even a “special needs certificate” that early childhood educators are required to have to work with children with disabilities in BC.

While “special needs” was once considered a compassionate term, disability advocates and style guides now challenge its usage. They assert that it perpetuates stereotypes and emphasizes differences. Many argue that it can make it sound like disability is shameful and sets children on a path to segregation. Instead, we should say “children with disabilities” or use precise language that reflects individual diagnoses, such as “a child with autism.” It’s a complex topic as we all consider how best to talk about disability, but I’d love to see the term “special needs” disappear.

6. Empower

This word has been used in so many contexts—from marketing campaigns to social media captions—that it can sound empty. Depending on the context, “support,” “equip,” or “inspire” may work better. Instead of using “empower,” it can be helpful to be specific: Are you providing tools, fostering independence, or instilling confidence?

7. Resilient

While “resilient” is not a word that I think we need to retire, it is overused, and we need to use it more carefully. Originally, “resilient” described the admirable ability to recover from adversity. It connotes strength and adaptability, and it is often used when writing about people with disabilities, Indigenous people, or other marginalized people. But today the word is everywhere—from corporate memos praising employees to descriptions of communities facing systemic challenges. Overuse has made it a default platitude, often overlooking the real struggles it’s meant to honour. Its overuse can feel patronizing or dismissive, especially when applied to communities or individuals overcoming systemic challenges.

One Indigenous author I worked with this past year expressed frustration, saying, “Can we please just stop using the word ‘resilient’ when we talk about Indigenous people?” This struck a chord. Too often, “resilience” is used to celebrate marginalized people’s ability to leap over systemic hurdles—letting everyone else off the hook and leaving the structures causing those challenges unaddressed. In some cases, using the word even risks excusing these systemic barriers, putting additional pressure on the oppressed. Not only do they experience discrimination, but they’re also expected to continually build armour against it.

The word “resilient” is useful, but we should use it more thoughtfully and acknowledge the systemic barriers people face rather than focusing solely on their ability to endure.

Language evolves constantly, and overuse indicates that a word resonates with people. But overused words have less power than carefully chosen ones. As writers and editors, we have the responsibility to choose precise, vivid, and meaningful language that conveys the complexity of our ideas. Let’s retire—or carefully rethink—these overworked words in 2025.