Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

INSPECTOR

DEFINITION:
An official employed to ensure that official regulations are obeyed, especially in public services.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are federal employees, and misconduct allegations are typically investigated by the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility or by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of inspector General.
The Key West Citizen, 03/16/2026

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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. Despondent

Being without or almost without hope

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

To honor the memory of with a ceremony

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.


2. Technique

To honor the memory of with a ceremony

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.


3. Lichen

A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,

To cringe in fear

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal


4. Vaccine

A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation

A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

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

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.


5. Pulverize

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.

To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.

The main character in a drama or other literary work.


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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.