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. Ultraviolet

► The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

► Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

► The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings

► Having a backbone or spinal column.

2. Decorum

► Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

► Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

► The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

► A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

3. Parasite

► One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

► Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold

► The main character in a drama or other literary work.

► Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

4. Participle

► A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

► One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.

► The distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year.

► A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

5. Commemorate

► A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

► Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

► To honor the memory of with a ceremony

► A schedule of prices or fees.

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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.