These Are New Jersey’s 10 Most-Googled Word Definitions

What's the last word definition that you searched?

A few days ago, I searched for the definition of the word "gaslighting' for a bit I was working on for my radio show.

Here's what Google told me. "Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where a person manipulates someone to doubt their own memory, perception, or sanity."

Wow, you've got to be a real jerk to gaslight someone.

I thought of this today when I came across the 10 most-searched words by people in New Jersey.

Guess what? Gaslighting is #5!  Isn't that weird?

It turns out that New Jersey's 10 most-searched words are a very interesting list.

What the Words We Are Searching For Say About Us

According to  Word Unscrambler, a website that helps you with word games, the words we are searching for today say plenty about society.

"One of the most striking findings is that Americans top searched definitions in 2026 are dominated by abstract concepts rather than objects.

 

From love and justice to democracy and integrity, people are searching for words that help them understand ideas, values and human behavior.

 

People are searching for definitions to better understand personal experiences and public conversations."

 

New Jersey's Most Searched Word Definitions

1.  Metaphor - a figurative language tool that compares two seemingly unrelated things to state that one thing is like the other

2.  Adjective -  a word that describes or modifies a noun

3. Fascism - a strict and unfair system of government led by one powerful ruler— called a dictator— where people are not allowed to disagree, choices are taken away, and the country's power is put above everything else

4. Empathy - the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person

5. Gaslighting - (See above)

6. Niche - a small, specialized segment of a market, a comfortable role that fits a person well, or a hollow space in a wall

7. Racism - the belief that some races are better than others, leading to prejudice, discrimination, and unfair treatment of people based on their race or skin color

8. Capitalism - an economic system where private individuals and companies own the things used to make goods and services, rather than the government.

9. Integrity - reliably doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

10. Propaganda - the intentional spreading of information, ideas, or rumors to influence what people think, feel, or do.