bot
Software mimicking humans
A bot is a software program that performs automated tasks, especially on the internet.
Bots index websites for search engines, moderate chat rooms, or execute rapid trades.
In gaming and social media, bot often carries a negative connotation—either a fake account spreading spam or propaganda, or an insult suggesting someone plays with mechanical incompetence: You're such a bot.
The word comes from robot.
Operating without human control
- scriptWritten words for performance
- macroRecorded command sequence
- crawlerSomething that inches along
- spiderWeb-spinning arachnid
scraper · task · scheduled · batch · workflow · process · systematic · repetitive
Machine resembling a person
- automatonSelf-moving mechanical device
- droidRobot, in shorthand
- cyborgOrganic-mechanical hybrid entity
- humanoidBeing with body like ours
mechanoid · replicant · machine · mechanical · bionic · synthetic · servo · actuator
Software providing automated help
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- SiriDigital voice helper
- AlexaVirtual home assistant
GPT · dialogue · response · prompt · natural language · automated · customer service · helpdesk
Deliberate online antagonist
- spamUnsolicited bulk messages
- fake accountFabricated user profile
- followerOne who supports another
- likeComparable to, or enjoy
retweet · comment · engagement · astroturfing · sockpuppet · influence · amplification · coordinated
Uncontrolled game character
- enemyHostile opposing party
- mobDisorderly, aggressive crowd
- spawnAquatic eggs or generate
- respawnReappear after dying digitally
pathfinding · aggro · difficulty · multiplayer · aimbot · cheat · grinding · farming
automated
Operating without human control
spider · scraper · task · scheduled · batch · workflow · process · systematic · repetitive · programmatic
android
Machine resembling a person
- automatonSelf-moving mechanical device
- droidRobot, in shorthand
- cyborgOrganic-mechanical hybrid entity
humanoid · mechanoid · replicant · machine · mechanical · bionic · synthetic · servo · actuator · sensor
virtual assistant
Software providing automated help
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- SiriDigital voice helper
Alexa · GPT · dialogue · response · prompt · natural language · automated · customer service · helpdesk · messaging
troll
Deliberate online antagonist
- spamUnsolicited bulk messages
- fake accountFabricated user profile
- followerOne who supports another
like · retweet · comment · engagement · astroturfing · sockpuppet · influence · amplification · coordinated · inauthentic
NPC
Uncontrolled game character
respawn · pathfinding · aggro · difficulty · multiplayer · aimbot · cheat · grinding · farming · dungeon
- botschatbots, botnets, botnet, fake followers
- Digital EntitiesAI, virtual assistant, AI assistant, virtual agent, digital avatar
- online personastroll, influencer, lurker, spammer, hater
- online usersnetizen, casual user, new user, follower, active user
- MOBAsMOBA, heroes, champions, minion, creeps
- Online Manipulatorstroll, shill, sock puppet, sockpuppet, fake account
bothuman
Homo sapiens individual
person · real person · human being · flesh and blood · sentient being
botmanual
Written instructions for use
hand-operated · human-powered · hands-on · manual process · artisanal
- social media botAutomated fake profile online
- spam botsAutomated mass-messaging programs
- Twitter botSelf-posting social program
- Internet botAutomated online program
- customer service botAutomated support assistant
- shopping botAutomated online buying program
robot, robots, bots, robotic, chatbot, robotics, botting, nanobot, robotize