Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

DENIALISM

DEFINITION:
Bianco’s investigation, which includes all the ballots cast in Riverside County in November, raises questions about how he would handle the election denialism movement if he is elected governor.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
The practice of denying the existence, truth, or validity of something despite proof or strong evidence that it is real, true, or valid.
The Los Angeles Times, 03/23/2026

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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. Spectrum

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

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

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

Harmful, malevolent, injurious. Harmfully cancerous.


2. Laconic

An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.

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

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm


3. Bandolier

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

A diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas or both, visible as luminous patches or areas of darkness

The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.


4. Vertebrate

Having a backbone or spinal column.

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

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

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.


5. Tsunami

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

To cringe in fear

A proportional part or share.


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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.