doomscroll
verbUS /ˈdumˌskɹoʊl/
Etymology From doom + scroll, probably a back-formation from doomscrolling.
1
Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Technology Neologism To continually read Internet news about catastrophic events.
- You doomscroll about all kinds of things including pandemics, racial injustice, natural disasters, wars, and political unrest.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:
- “Why are you doomscrolling?” I ask. ¶ “I’m not doomscrolling.” Swipe, swipe...2021, Jesse Gordon, “We’re All in This Together”, in El Cassetto, Cream-Colored Coffee Cup:
3 more examples
- Keep a book in your bag to avoid the temptation to doomscroll.2022 January 1, “100 ways to slightly improve your life without really trying”, in The Guardian:
- “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.”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:
- “You might think you can look and tell the difference while you’re sitting there doom scrolling,” he said. “Believe me, you can’t. That’s where our methods come in.”2026 June 14, Eli Saslow, Erin Schaff, “The World’s Leading Deepfake Expert No Longer Trusts His Own Eyes”, in The New York Times, →ISSN: