Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

OVERZEALOUS

DEFINITION:
Showing too much energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Patrolmen’s Association, the city’s largest police union, attributed the encounter to an “overzealous poll worker who was complaining to the officer that the councilor shouldn’t have even been inside.”
The Boston Herald, 11/17/2025

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Words in the News Quiz
5 Middle School Words

Click on the correct answer in the quiz below.
Then see if you can find the word in your newspaper -- the print edition, the website or the digital edition and copy the sentence for context. NOTE: High School words are much harder to find!


1. Virtuoso

Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.

To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.


2. Technique

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

Consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous.

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


3. Sect

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.


4. Heritage

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.

A dense evergreen forest occupying a tropical region with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches.

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.


5. Accentuate

To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

To stress or emphasize; intensify


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Common Core State Standard
LS.CCS.4/5/6 Grades 3-12: Students are asked to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words through multiple choice vocabulary quizzes. Quizzes are designed to help students demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in words, acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words, and gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. Students are then asked to find the words within the newspaper and copy the sentence for context to its overall meaning or function in a sentence.