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. Divulge

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.

To proclaim publicly

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative


2. Metaphor

To stress or emphasize; intensify

Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.

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


3. Nocturnal

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.

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.


4. Laconic

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

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

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

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


5. Plateau

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

To condescend to give or grant

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

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


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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.