Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

FOOTHOLD

DEFINITION:
A position usable as a base for further advance.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Growing national anxiety over the impact of massive data centers on communities has found a foothold in Greater Boston in the form of Markley’s Lowell location.
The Boston Herald, 08/10/2026

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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. Omnipotent

Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful.

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

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

An underlying base or foundation especially for an organization or system.


2. Vortex

A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it.

The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.

Clear to the understanding.

Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness.


3. Hegemony

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

The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others.

Characterized by forcefulness of expression or intensity of emotion or conviction; fervid.

Not interesting; dull:


4. Photosynthesis

The process in green plants and certain other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source.

Playfully jocular; humorous

Logical incongruity

To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill.


5. Notarize

Logical incongruity

To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill.

Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid.

To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public.


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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.