Merriam-Webster's Definition of "Anti-Vaxxer" Has Not Changed
The Claim
Merriam-Webster updated their definition of “anti-vaxxer” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Emerging story
Over the past few weeks, social media users have been sharing the claim that Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary has updated their definition of “anti-vaxxer” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their current definition of the term is “a person who opposes vaccination or laws that mandate vaccination.”
Users have shared the claim with alarm and outrage. One post interpreted this definition as if it states that people who oppose vaccinations are criminals: “Now people who oppose vaccinations are breaking the law?” it asked.
Misbar’s Analysis
Merriam-Webster has not changed its definition of “anti-vaxxer” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The earliest record of this definition was captured on the Wayback Machine’s web archive in 2018, which shows the same definition as the current one. This is at least two years before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Merriam-Webster reports that the first known use of the term was in 2009.
While the term “anti-vaxxer” is sometimes used as a pejorative, Merriam-Webster does not do so. The term objectively refers to someone who is opposed to vaccines. This includes people who oppose laws that mandate vaccination as well, which is again consistent with the dictionary’s definition. Anti-vaccine protesters often carry signs with statements such as “No Mandate,” or claims that vaccines are dangerous. Merriam-Webster's definition does not say that people who oppose vaccine mandates are breaking the law.
The Food and Drug Administration does not mandate vaccinations. Employers, colleges, and local governments may require vaccinations as they find applicable regarding safety concerns. Medical and religious exemptions apply.
While the term “anti-vaxxer” is likely only around twelve years old, vaccine hesitancy dates back centuries.
