brouhaha

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 27, 2025 is "brouhaha", a noun that refers to great excitement or concern about something. It is a synonym of "uproar" and "hubbub". The word "brouhaha" is often used to describe a situation where there is a lot of fuss or commotion over something that may not be that important. An example of its usage is in a sentence where a brouhaha erupts over a bill, even though the opposing party stands to gain from its passage. The word "brouhaha" was borrowed directly from French in the late 19th century, but its origins beyond that are uncertain. Despite its uncertain origins, "brouhaha" is a fun word to say, along with its synonyms like "hubub", "williwaw", "hullabaloo", "bobbery", and "kerfuffle". These words often suggest that the reason for the commotion is a bit silly or not worth getting worked up about. A brouhaha can be caused by something as trivial as a dad joke, which may not be a reason for a big uproar. The word "brouhaha" is often used to convey a sense of irony or humor when describing a situation where there is a lot of fuss over something minor.