Words That Need to Go Away in 2025

Language evolves over time, but sometimes, certain words and phrases overstay their welcome. From overused buzzwords to blatant clichés (okay, I really want to call them ‘lies’), they creep into conversations, marketing materials, and social media posts until you can’t escape them. Some are harmlessly annoying, while others are so grating they make you want to scream into the void—or at least throw your coffee mug across the room.

How bad can it get? If you can get through this highly exaggerated example, you’re probably mostly asleep during those zoom calls you hate. Or there’s something other than coffee in your cup!

“As we circle back to this unprecedented discussion on our synergistic strategy, let’s drill down into the granular details of our game-changing, disruptive new product—a curated, authentic solution that redefines luxury. Picture this: a nestled retreat featuring a chef’s kitchen that will leave you breathless. This isn’t just an impactful pivot; it’s a thought-leader’s dream, leveraging the synergy of highly scalable, value-added components. We’re not just innovating; we’re empowering lives! Imagine the robust ROI as we future-proof this next-gen, bleeding-edge technology. This is more than a product; it’s a paradigm shift. So let’s align, leverage, and take it to the next level—because folks, this is where the magic happens. Let’s own the narrative and disrupt the market before our competitors even know what hit them. Win-win, right?”

There you go: a word salad so cringey it could crash a PowerPoint presentation!

As we step into 2025, it’s time to leave some linguistic dead weight behind. Here’s a list of words and phrases that need to disappear forever, accompanied by why they drive us all insane.

1. “Nestled”

Realtors, we’re looking at you. Not every house is “nestled” somewhere. Most homes are just sitting there, on a lot, like every other house. Is it really “nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac” when there’s a freeway 50 feet away? Enough with the cozy imagery. Just say it has an address.

Better Option: Located. (See? It’s simple and honest.)

2. “Circle Back”

Ah, the corporate classic. “Let’s circle back to this” roughly translates to “I don’t want to deal with this right now, but I’m pretending I will later.” It’s the conversational equivalent of a dead-end road. Stop pretending your procrastination sounds productive.

Better Option: Let’s schedule a time to revisit this—or just admit you’re not interested.

3. “Pivot”

Used by startups, politicians, and everyone in between, “pivot” is the go-to word when someone needs to explain a sudden, poorly thought-out change in direction. No, Karen, your company didn’t “pivot to a new model,” it scrambled to survive because the first one was a flop.

Better Option: Adapt. It’s honest and doesn’t sound like a euphemism for flailing.

4. “Unprecedented”

Sure, in 2020, things were genuinely unprecedented. But after five years of hearing it daily, the word has become meaningless. Are these layoffs really unprecedented? Is this weather unprecedented, or is it just annoying? Either way, we’re over it.

Better Option: Retire the word unless it actually applies. Now that would be unprecedented.

5. “Granular”

No one asked to “dive into the granular details” of anything, especially during a meeting that’s already running long. Just say “specifics” like a normal human being.

Better Option: Details. Shorter, clearer, and doesn’t make you sound like a tech bro with a thesaurus.

6. “Authentic”

When everything is marketed as “authentic,” it all starts to feel fake. Authentic tacos. Authentic connections. Authentic laundry detergent. If you have to announce that you’re authentic, chances are, you’re not.

Better Option: Let the thing speak for itself. Real authenticity doesn’t need a label.

7. “Disruptor”

Used by self-important tech companies and CEOs, this word has lost all meaning. Uber wasn’t “disrupting” the taxi industry; it was just creating a fancier way to overcharge for a ride. And a profit. Stop acting like “disruption” is inherently good—it’s not always the innovation you think it is.

Better Option: Innovator. But only if it’s true.

8. “Thought Leader”

This one’s a two-for-one punch of pretension and emptiness. Unless you’re personally solving global crises or curing diseases, stop calling yourself a “thought leader.” You’re not leading thoughts—you’re just posting LinkedIn statuses and hoping someone likes them.

Better Option: Expert. But only if you genuinely are one. Hint: If you think you are one, more than likely, you’re not.

9. “Game-Changer”

Unless your product is literally changing the world (unlikely), it’s probably not a “game-changer.” Adding avocado to a sandwich is not a game-changer. Neither is your slightly faster app.

Better Option: Improvement. It’s more honest—and far less obnoxious.

10. “Luxury”

Real estate agents, car manufacturers, and vacation marketers have beaten this word into the ground. It’s not “luxury” if it’s in every apartment listing, every car ad, and every AirBnB description. At this point, luxury means “overpriced and likely mediocre.”

Better Option: Describe the actual features—because calling everything “luxury” just sounds lazy.

11. “Curated”

Oh, your restaurant has a “curated menu”? That’s cute. You mean you picked some dishes to serve, just like every other restaurant ever? This word is being overused to death, especially in retail, where it often just means “overpriced.”

Better Option: None. Just say what it is. Some s**t you collected.

12. “Synergy”

The granddaddy of corporate buzzwords. “Synergy” is used to describe the vague, mystical magic that happens when two mediocre ideas combine. It’s meaningless, annoying, and makes people want to roll their eyes into another dimension.

Better Option: Collaboration. It’s simple, clear, and doesn’t make people cringe. Or maybe just say who you’re working with?

13. “Impactful”

Your PowerPoint presentation wasn’t impactful. It was just a PowerPoint. Not every mildly interesting thing is “impactful,” and overusing this word cheapens it for when something genuinely is.

Better Option: Meaningful. But use sparingly. Like when it’s accompanied by a six figure check. That would be meaningful, even impactful.

14. “Chef’s Kitchen”

Realtors, let’s get something straight: not every kitchen is a “chef’s kitchen.” Unless it’s equipped with a walk-in fridge, an industrial-grade stovetop, and a sous-chef named Pierre chopping shallots in the corner, it’s just a regular kitchen.

When you slap “chef’s kitchen” on a beat-up trailer with laminate countertops and a microwave older than TikTok, it makes the phrase meaningless. No, Brenda, that sad four-burner stove with one broken knob isn’t where Gordon Ramsay would whip up a soufflé.

Better Option: Be specific! Say updated kitchen or spacious kitchen—or, better yet, just describe the features without pretending it’s something it’s not. If it’s got a gas stove, a dishwasher, and an oven, that’s great! Just don’t insult our intelligence with delusions of grandeur.

Pro Tip for Realtors: Stop trying to make everything sound like a lifestyle Instagram post. Some buyers just want to know if the fridge works.

Let’s Speak Like Humans in 2025

As we ring in a new year, let’s resolve to ditch the meaningless jargon and tired clichés. Whether you’re in business, real estate, politics, or everyday conversation, remember: clear, honest language never goes out of style.

So, let’s raise a glass (but not a “curated” one) to 2025—a year where we stop trying to sound smart and start communicating like real people. Cheers!

*Main image created with AI.