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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 High 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. Expurgate

To divide (a geographic area) into voting districts so as to give unfair advantage to one party in elections.

Everyday; commonplace.

To remove erroneous, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable material from (a book, for example) before publication.

To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of.


2. Fatuous

Vacuously, smugly, and unconsciously foolish.

The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.

Having a bad disposition; surly.

A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.


3. Plasma

Having a bad disposition; surly.

A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.

Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness.

The clear, yellowish fluid portion of blood, lymph, or intramuscular fluid in which cells are suspended.


4. Abrogate

To show servile deference.

To renounce under oath; forswear.

To abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority.

Noninterference in the affairs of others.


5. Reparation

The science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules.

A part, portion, or share.

Something done or paid to compensate or make amends.

Attended by favorable circumstances; propitious.


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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.