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. Embargo

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).

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

A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation

Self-examination.


2. Sacrifice

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.

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


3. Hologram

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

The pattern produced on a photosensitive medium that has been exposed by holography and then photographically developed.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.


4. Nocturnal

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion

To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.

To condescend to give or grant


5. Protagonist

To condescend to give or grant

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

The main character in a drama or other literary work.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.


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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.