Daily writing prompt

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

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Words have power. They can heal, uplift, and inspire—but they can also dismiss, invalidate, and shut people down. If I could permanently remove one word from general usage, it would be “whatever.”

At first glance, “whatever” might seem harmless, just a casual filler word. But when used in certain contexts, it carries an air of disrespect and indifference. It’s the verbal equivalent of a shrug, a way to dismiss someone’s thoughts, feelings, or concerns without a second thought.

Think about it—how many times has “whatever” been thrown at you in a conversation? Maybe you were trying to express something important, only to be met with a cold, dismissive “whatever.” It shuts the door on dialogue, making it clear that the other person isn’t interested in listening, understanding, or engaging. It’s frustrating, invalidating, and, honestly, unnecessary.

I’ve had my fair share of moments where “whatever” got under my skin. Instead of fostering meaningful conversation, it created distance. Instead of resolution, it left things hanging. Over time, I realized that people who rely on “whatever” as a response aren’t always worth my energy. Engaging with close-minded, dismissive individuals only drains me, so I’ve learned to walk away. And honestly? Life has been more peaceful because of it.

Language should be a tool for connection, not avoidance. Imagine if we replaced “whatever” with something more thoughtful—”I see your point,” “I don’t agree, but I respect your opinion,” or even just “Let’s talk about this later.” Simple shifts in words can make a world of difference in how we communicate and connect with others.

So, if “whatever” were to disappear forever, I wouldn’t miss it. In fact, I think conversations would be a whole lot better without it.

What word would you ban if you had the chance?