doomscroller

noun

doom·​scroll·​er ˈdüm-ˌskrō-lər How to pronounce doomscroller (audio)
plural doomscrollers
: someone who spends excessive time scrolling (see scroll entry 2) through online content (especially news content) that makes them feel sad, anxious, angry, etc. : someone who doomscrolls
Karen K. Ho, a global finance and economics reporter … began tweeting regular reminders to step away from the screen and do something that will actually make a doomscroller feel better—such as getting a drink of water, stretching or simply going to bed on time.Sophie Bushwick

Word History

Etymology

doomscroll + -er entry 2

First Known Use

2020, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doomscroller was in 2020

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doomscroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doomscroller. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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