Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2026, is loath. Loath is an adjective describing someone who is unwilling or reluctant to do something. For example, Henry was loath to admit his company needed retirement. Another example shows a runner loath to stop running on certain terrain. Intriguingly, loath is an accepted, though less common, spelling variant of the verb loathe. This can be confusing for language purists who prefer loathe to solely mean "to hate." Both words originate from the Old English word "lath," meaning "loathsome" or "disgusting." Throughout history, their spellings have interchanged. To maintain a distinction according to common usage, remember that loath describes a feeling of reluctance. Conversely, loathe describes the action of hating or intensely disliking something.