Indeed, this is Merriam-Webster doing what they openly claim to do: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/is-irregardless-a-real-word-heh-heh https://ww

Indeed, this is Merriam-Webster doing what they openly claim to do: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/is-irregardless-a-real-word-heh-heh https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/is-irregardles... > One reason is that of scale Gaslighting has been used significantly more commonly in recent years. > Another reason is consistency of intent Gaslighting is almost exclusively used to mean lying for selfish gain, irregardless of any intended psychological effects on the person being lied to. They are simply recognizing the cultural significance -- distinct and different from the origin -- of the word.