Oxford: Oxford University Press has declared “Rage-Bait” as its Word of the Year 2025, following public voting, expert linguistic analysis, and cultural impact, with participation from over 30,000 people.
The term has gained prominence as part of the evolving digital language of the internet.
A rage-bait refers to content intentionally crafted to provoke anger, frustration, or discomfort, designed to drive traffic and engagement on social media platforms and websites.
Oxford highlighted that usage of the word has tripled in the past year, and the overwhelming public response made it the clear choice for 2025.
Originally coined in 2002 on Usenet to describe drivers’ reactions, rage-bait has now evolved into a central term in online discourse, reflecting the growing influence of provocative digital content.
