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. Tariff

► The main character in a drama or other literary work.

► To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

► A schedule of prices or fees.

► A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

2. Guerrilla

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

► To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

► Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

► Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

3. Impertinent

► Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold

► To condescend to give or grant

► Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

► A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

4. Camouflage

► Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

► A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

► A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus

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

5. Polygon

► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

► A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.

► Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline

► A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

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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.