In a time when artificial intelligence and certain political figures have made it difficult to discern what is real, the word "authentic" has been the most frequently searched word in the United States.

The esteemed publisher, whose dictionary enjoys particular popularity on the internet, claimed that people discussing and reading about social media, identity, celebrity culture, and artificial intelligence drove the trend.

"Authentic" emerged victorious over other rivals, including "deepfake," "rizz" (a term used by young people to describe charisma), and "coronation," to claim the title of the word that drives visitors to the dictionary the most.

According to Merriam-Webster, the word "authentic" can indicate different things, such as "true to one's own personality, spirit, or character" and "not false or imitation."

The publisher stated in a news release that "authenticity, while unquestionably a desirable quality, is hard to define and subject to debate—two reasons it sends many people to the dictionary."

It was mentioned that this year, superstars like Taylor Swift discussed their desire to find their true selves or voices.

According to a Forbes magazine article from October, "What makes Swift a cultural phenomenon is not only her musical prowess and versatility but the trademark authenticity she puts on each note and verse."

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, claims to place a high value on authenticity.

The outspoken owner of X, formerly Twitter, stated that businesspeople and international leaders have to "speak authentically" on social media during a world government summit held in Dubai in February.

"He urged people to embrace their authentic selves in communication, as adopting a persona often leads to a stilted and unrealistic demeanor."

This year was Merriam-Webster's 20th year of selecting the most frequently sought word from its half-million definitions on the internet.

"Gaslighting" is a term for emotional abuse that causes victims to doubt their own identity.

When the coronavirus epidemic raged in 2021, it was "vaccine."