Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

SUREFIRE

DEFINITION:
Certain or likely, especially to succeed.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Kirby taught himself how to count cards, a surefire way to get barred from gambling at a casino, “raking in money on trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” the article stated.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal, 05/04/2026

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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. Nocturnal

One that takes in everything available, as with the mind.

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.

To cringe in fear


2. Flourish

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

Any of various nonplacental mammals, including kangaroos, opossums, bandicoots, and wombats, found principally in Australia and the Americas.

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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.


3. Commemorate

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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

To honor the memory of with a ceremony


4. Chronology

The arrangement of events in time

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal


5. Exponent

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

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

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


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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.