Doomscroll

Definition

The compulsive act of scrolling through social media or news feeds, typically late at night, while consuming increasingly negative or distressing content. Often described as an anxiety-driven behavior where the viewer knows the content is bad for them but cannot stop.

Example Usage

I spent three hours doomscrolling last night and now I'm exhausted and depressed about the state of the world.

Origin

Portmanteau of 'doom' and 'scroll,' popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened news cycles of the 2010s.

Fun Fact

Doomscrolling was added to Collins Dictionary as their 'Word of the Year' in 2020, reflecting how widespread the behavior had become.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

Advanced

racked out

Regional slang (possibly Cleveland-specific) describing someone who looks completely strung out, exhausted, or wasted, as if they've been on a multi-day bender. They have that unmistakable appearance of someone whose body is present but their soul checked out hours ago. It's the look that makes strangers concerned and friends ask "You good?"

📱 Gen-Z / Internet Slang

Intermediate

huekurgmalimp

A chaotic group conversation where everyone talks simultaneously at cross-purposes, nobody listens to anyone else, and someone is definitely telling a terrible joke nobody asked for.

📱 Gen-Z / Internet Slang

Intermediate