20 Words to Retire in 2020

The expression “May you live in interesting times” is a solid way to describe 2019. It’s been a tumultuous year in which words have played a starring role. Our society has never been more polarized, and words continue to prove their power to unite or divide, confuse or clarify, lift us up or tear us down. For context, check out Merriam-Webster’s word of the year (“they”) and the most looked-up words.

Which brings us to the contenders for the words and phrases we are just plain done with in 2019. These were selected because they are no longer timely, are overused or jargony, reflect themes we don’t want to experience in 2020 - or are repeat offenders that simply won’t go away (no matter how many times we’ve put them on the chopping block.)

With clarity as our guiding theme - and gratitude to everyone who offered suggestions - here are the 20 words and phrases we vote for retirement in 2020.

1. ASK (AS A NOuN)

2. At the end of the day

3. Cancel

4. Circle back

5. Customer journey

6. Culture eats strategy

7. Experiential

8. Hate

9. Ideation

10. Level up

11. Leverage

12. Literally

13. Make xx xx again

14. OK boomer

15. On both sides

16. Quid pro quo

17. Reclaim my time

18. Same

19. Triggered

20. VSCO

Want to see which words we retired over the last nine years? You can check them out here:

• 15 Words And Phrases We Should Retire In 2019
• Covfefe And Other Words That Must Be Retired In 2018
• The Bigly List Of Words To Retire In 2017
• 10 Words And Phrases To Retire In 2016
• Words To Retire In 2015: The Millennial Edition
• Words To Retire In 2014: Why Twerk Must Go But Selfie Can Stay
• Words To Retire In 2013
• Words To Retire In 2012
• 10 Words We Can Retire in 2011