Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

LITIGANT

DEFINITION:
Someone involved in a lawsuit.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
With the widespread and transformative use of artificial intelligence — particularly generative AI — in daily life, federal and state courts in New Mexico are finding self-represented litigants and some attorneys filing legal cases containing false or misleading information.
►The Albuquerque Journal, 04/13/2026

Generate your own quiz
Select a grade level
 Elementary
 Middle School
 High School
Select a quiz type
 By words
 By Definitions
Select how many questions
5   10   15   20  

Words in the News Quiz
5 Elementary 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. ignite

► To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

► Watchful, especially for danger or disorder; alert; wary

► One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.

► To set fire to (something), to light (something)

2. scarcity

► Specifically, giving indication of a coming ill; being an evil omen

► An inadequate amount of something; a shortage

► Facts or observations presented in support of an assertion.

► An assemblage or display; a gathering, collection of people or things.

3. contributions

► An assemblage or display; a gathering, collection of people or things.

► Obvious or easy to notice.

► To make something by merging parts.

► A gift or payment to a common fund or collection.

4. brackish

► Salty or slightly salty, as a mixture of fresh and sea water, such as that found in estuaries

► A barrier constructed across a road, especially as a military defense.

► Important with regards to (a subject or matter); relevant

► To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.

5. subside

► To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.

► To clarify or make something understandable

► To sink or fall to the bottom; to settle

► To make clear; to free from obscurities; to brighten or illuminate.

Get more Quizzes 

 Elementary School    Middle School   High School  

 By Word     By Definition    5  10  15  20 Questions

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.