Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

PLOY

DEFINITION:
A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
“First of all, I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” said the 44th president, conceding that it does serve as an effective distraction and ploy for attention.
The Boston Herald, 02/16/2026

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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. Aspire

To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

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


2. Embargo

A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation

A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive


3. Labyrinth

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

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


4. Hieroglyphic

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

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.


5. Outrageous

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

A member of an irregular, usually indigenous military or paramilitary unit operating in small bands in occupied territory to harass and undermine the enemy


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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.