doomscroll

English

Etymology

From doom +‎ scroll, probably a back-formation from doomscrolling.

Pronunciation

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Verb

doomscroll (third-person singular simple present doomscrolls, present participle doomscrolling, simple past and past participle doomscrolled)

1. (transitive, intransitive, social media, technology, neologism) To engage in the act of doomscrolling. [from 2020]
   • 2020, Robert West, chapter 1, in Stop Doomscrolling: How to Break the Cycle to Relieve Stress, Decrease Anxiety, and Regain Your Life, Annus Mirabilis Publishing:

     You doomscroll about all kinds of things including pandemics, racial injustice, natural disasters, wars, and political unrest.

   • 2021, Jesse Gordon, “We’re All in This Together”, in El Cassetto, Cream-Colored Coffee Cup:

     “Why are you doomscrolling?” I ask. ¶ “I’m not doomscrolling.” Swipe, swipe...

   • 2022 January 1, “100 ways to slightly improve your life without really trying”, in The Guardian‎:

     Keep a book in your bag to avoid the temptation to doomscroll.

   • 2025 September 15, Rebecca Liu, quoting Sandra Oh, “‘The old white patriarchy isn’t knocking on my door!’ Sandra Oh on joy, despair – and going viral with a euphoric dance”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     “The world is burning!” she says, imagining their [20-year-olds] dark thoughts. “There’s wars all over! My heart is so heavy, so all I’m going to do is doomscroll.”

Translations

Translations

Finnish: doomscrollata