What People In The Dakotas And Minnesota Searched To Define Most

Ever find yourself in the middle of a conversation and suddenly wonder, "Wait... what does that actually mean?" You're definitely not alone.

A new analysis of Google search data from Word Unscrambler looked at the words Americans searched to define most often during the first half of 2026, and the results paint an interesting picture of what has been on people's minds.

Across the United States, the most searched word definition was "gaslighting," generating nearly 287,000 monthly searches. Close behind were "love" (274,900), "fascism" (264,700), "empathy" (265,600), and "integrity" (262,100). Rounding out the national top 10 were metaphor, narcissist, culture, democracy, and bias.

It's a fascinating mix of emotional, political, educational, and everyday terms that suggests Americans are trying to better understand both the world around them and the people in it.

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ND Google

What About North Dakota?

For us in North Dakota, the most searched word definition wasn't nearly as philosophical. It was simply weather.

Considering how quickly the forecast can change across the Peace Garden State—from winter blizzards to summer thunderstorms—that probably isn't much of a surprise. Whether it's checking for severe weather alerts, wondering if it's finally warm enough to put away the snow shovel, or planning a weekend at the lake, North Dakotans clearly keep the weather top of mind.

Regional Google

Our Neighbors Had Some Interesting Choices

North Dakota wasn't the only state with a unique curiosity.

South Dakota residents most frequently searched the definition of "purpose." Maybe they're asking life's big questions—or maybe they're just trying to survive another Monday.
Montana stood out with perhaps the most unexpected search of all: "gouache," a type of opaque watercolor paint popular with artists and illustrators. It may not be the first word you'd expect from Big Sky Country, but creativity apparently has a home there.

Minnesota Google

Minnesota Has Eyes To The Skies Too

Meanwhile, neighboring Minnesota joined North Dakota in searching for the definition of "weather," proving that Upper Midwest residents are united by one thing: keeping an eye on the forecast.

Researchers say one of the biggest takeaways is that Americans are increasingly searching for words tied to emotions, society, and education. Whether it's understanding concepts like empathy and integrity or simply figuring out what "gouache" means, curiosity is alive and well.

After all, there's no shame in looking up a word. We all learn something new every day—and judging by these searches, America has been asking some pretty interesting questions in 2026.