Merriam-Webster's standard in definitions is descriptive rather than prescriptive:
Merriam-Webster is a descriptive dictionary in that it aims to describe and indicate how words are actually used by English speakers and writers. Generally, the descriptive approach to lexicography does not dictate how words should be used or set forth rules of "correctness," unlike the prescriptive approach.
If Merriam-Webster are defining a word in a specific way, that reflects typical usage of that word, not M-W's "decision". It is literally the voice of the people.
The complaint is that Merriam-Webster is not reflecting typical usage by "the people" here, but rather spin from a concentrated press campaign. John Q. Budweiser down the street isn't using the word differently, but all the right newspapers and pundits are, and all at the same time. To John, that starts to look Orwellian.
Merriam-Webster is a descriptive dictionary in that it aims to describe and indicate how words are actually used by English speakers and writers. Generally, the descriptive approach to lexicography does not dictate how words should be used or set forth rules of "correctness," unlike the prescriptive approach.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/descriptive-vs...
If Merriam-Webster are defining a word in a specific way, that reflects typical usage of that word, not M-W's "decision". It is literally the voice of the people.