The hidden cost of ‘rage bait’


OXFORD University Press, publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary, announced on Dec 1 that “rage bait” is its Word of the Year for 2025.

The term refers to digital content created with the aim of triggering anger and annoyance in users. The content can be inflammatory or provocative and commonly relies on emotional cues designed to capture attention. Rage bait content is commonly used to promote products or accounts.

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