50 Newspaper Words: Meanings & Sentences Explained

Hey everyone! Ever find yourself reading the newspaper and stumbling upon words that just throw you off? Yeah, us too! It's like trying to navigate a treasure map with a bunch of fancy, old-school symbols. But don't sweat it, guys! Today, we're diving deep into the world of newspaper lingo to bring you 50 common, yet sometimes tricky, words. We'll break down their meanings and show you exactly how to use them in a sentence, so you can sound like a total news-savvy whiz. Get ready to boost your vocabulary and impress your friends with your newfound word-power!

Understanding Essential Newspaper Vocabulary

Let's kick things off by understanding why newspaper vocabulary is so unique and important, shall we? Newspapers are packed with information, and to convey that information accurately and concisely, they often use specific terminology. This isn't just about sounding smart; it's about precision. Think about it: a journalist has limited space and needs to convey complex ideas quickly. That's where these specialized words come in handy. They often encapsulate a lot of meaning in just a few syllables. For instance, words related to politics, economics, or even local events have their own jargon. Mastering these terms doesn't just make you a better reader; it makes you a more informed citizen, capable of understanding the nuances of current events. It's like having a secret decoder ring for the news! Plus, being able to understand and use these words can significantly improve your writing and communication skills. You'll sound more articulate and knowledgeable, whether you're in a casual chat or a more formal discussion. So, buckle up, because we're about to unlock the meaning behind these powerful words and make them a part of your everyday vocabulary. We've curated this list specifically to help you grasp the context in which these words are typically used, ensuring you don't just memorize definitions but truly understand them. This is your guide to becoming a newspaper vocabulary ninja!

1. Acquittal

• Meaning: A judgment or verdict of not guilty in a legal trial.
• Sentence: After weeks of testimony, the jury delivered an acquittal for the defendant.

2. Adversary

• Meaning: An opponent or enemy.
• Sentence: The politician faced a strong adversary in the upcoming election.

3. Affidavit

• Meaning: A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
• Sentence: The witness provided an affidavit detailing what they saw.

4. Allegation

• Meaning: A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one that has not yet been proved.
• Sentence: The report contained serious allegations of corruption against the mayor.

5. Amicus Curiae

• Meaning: (Latin for "friend of the court") A person or organization who is not a party to a particular case but is permitted by the court to advise it by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issue in the case.
• Sentence: Several environmental groups filed amicus curiae briefs in the Supreme Court case.

6. Apprehend

• Meaning: To arrest someone for a crime; to understand or perceive.
• Sentence: Police managed to apprehend the suspect near the border. He could not apprehend the danger he was in.

7. Bailiff

• Meaning: An officer of the court who takes charge of prisoners, maintains order in the courtroom, and takes care of the jury.
• Sentence: The bailiff instructed everyone to rise as the judge entered.

8. Bipartisan

• Meaning: Involving or agreed on by two political parties.
• Sentence: The new bill received bipartisan support, a rare occurrence these days.

9. Censure

• Meaning: Express severe disapproval of (someone or something), typically in a formal statement.
• Sentence: The committee issued a formal censure against the board member for misconduct.

10. Clemency

• Meaning: Mercy; leniency.
• Sentence: The governor granted clemency to several inmates on death row.

11. Concur

• Meaning: To agree or to be of the same opinion.
• Sentence: The judges will concur on the final verdict tomorrow.

12. Condolence

• Meaning: An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
• Sentence: The entire community offered their condolences to the grieving family.

13. Convene

• Meaning: To come or bring together for a meeting or activity; to assemble.
• Sentence: The committee is set to convene next Tuesday to discuss the budget.

14. Corroborate

• Meaning: To confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
• Sentence: The witness's testimony helped to corroborate the victim's account.

15. Defamation

• Meaning: The action of damaging the good reputation of someone.
• Sentence: The article was accused of defamation by the celebrity's legal team.

16. Delegate

• Meaning: A person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular, an elected representative sent to a conference. Or, to entrust (a task or responsibility) to another person, typically one who is less senior than oneself.
• Sentence: She was chosen as a delegate to the international summit. The manager decided to delegate the task to her assistant.

17. Democracy

• Meaning: A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
• Sentence: The country has struggled to maintain its democracy amidst political turmoil.

18. Deposition

• Meaning: The process of giving sworn evidence.
• Sentence: His deposition was taken a week before the trial began.

19. Dissent

• Meaning: The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those commonly or officially held.
• Sentence: There was significant dissent among the members regarding the proposed policy.

20. Edict

• Meaning: An official order or proclamation issued by an authority.
• Sentence: The king issued an edict that all citizens must pay higher taxes.

21. Embargo

• Meaning: An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.
• Sentence: The United Nations imposed an embargo on the country's exports.

22. Enact

• Meaning: To make (a bill or other proposal) law.
• Sentence: The government plans to enact new legislation to protect the environment.

23. Exonerate

• Meaning: To absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing.
• Sentence: New evidence emerged that could exonerate the suspect.

24. Filibuster

• Meaning: A tactic in which a minority of legislators prevents a bill from passing by holding the floor and speaking for an extended period.
• Sentence: The opposition party threatened to filibuster the bill in the Senate.

25. Gavel

• Meaning: A small hammer with a loud click used by a judge or auctioneer.
• Sentence: The judge banged his gavel to restore order in the chaotic courtroom.

26. Habeas Corpus

• Meaning: (Latin for "you shall have the body") A writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court.
• Sentence: The lawyer filed a writ of habeas corpus to challenge the unlawful detention.

27. Impeach

• Meaning: To charge (a public official) with treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
• Sentence: The House of Representatives voted to impeach the president.

28. Injunction

• Meaning: An authoritative warning or order.
• Sentence: The court issued an injunction to stop the construction project.

29. Insurrection

• Meaning: A violent uprising against an established government or authority.
• Sentence: The government quickly suppressed the armed insurrection.

30. Jurisdiction

• Meaning: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
• Sentence: The case falls under the jurisdiction of the federal court.

31. Lame Duck

• Meaning: An official in the final period of office, after the election of a successor, seen as having limited power.
• Sentence: The lame duck president struggled to pass any new legislation.

32. Legislation

• Meaning: Laws, considered collectively.
• Sentence: Congress is debating new environmental legislation.

33. Lobbyist

• Meaning: A person who tries to persuade officials to support a particular cause or point of view.
• Sentence: The lobbyist met with senators to advocate for the industry.

34. Mandate

• Meaning: The authority to carry out a policy or action, given by an electorate to a representative. Or, an official order or commission to do something.
• Sentence: The election results gave the new government a strong mandate for change. The court issued a mandate for immediate release.

35. Misdemeanor

• Meaning: A minor wrongdoing.
• Sentence: Speeding is considered a misdemeanor in most states.

36. Monopoly

• Meaning: The exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
• Sentence: The government is investigating the company for potential monopoly practices.

37. Obituary

• Meaning: A notice of the death of a person, usually including a brief biography.
• Sentence: The newspaper published a detailed obituary for the renowned scientist.

38. Pardon

• Meaning: The forgiveness of a crime and the cancellation of the relevant punishment.
• Sentence: The president has the power to grant a pardon.

39. Perjury

• Meaning: The offense of willfully telling an untruth or making a misleading statement in a court of law or while under a formal affirmation to tell the truth.
• Sentence: He was charged with perjury for lying under oath.

40. Plaintiff

• Meaning: A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
• Sentence: The plaintiff sought damages for the injuries sustained in the accident.

41. Preamble

• Meaning: An introductory statement, especially a preface to a formal document that declares its purpose.
• Sentence: The preamble to the Constitution outlines the goals of the government.

42. Precedent

• Meaning: An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
• Sentence: The judge cited a previous case as a precedent for the ruling.

43. Proclamation

• Meaning: A public or official announcement, made in a formal manner.
• Sentence: The mayor issued a proclamation declaring a city-wide holiday.

44. Referendum

• Meaning: A general vote by the electorate on a single political question that is either accepted or rejected.
• Sentence: The country will hold a referendum on its membership in the European Union.

45. Rescind

• Meaning: To revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement).
• Sentence: The company decided to rescind its controversial policy after public outcry.

46. Resolution

• Meaning: A formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a league, a club, or a local government.
• Sentence: The city council passed a resolution to increase funding for local parks.

47. Subpoena

• Meaning: A writ ordering a person to attend a court.
• Sentence: The lawyer issued a subpoena for the documents to be presented.

48. Testimony

• Meaning: A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
• Sentence: Her testimony was crucial in solving the case.

49. Veto

• Meaning: A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.
• Sentence: The governor used his veto power to block the bill.

50. Writ

• Meaning: A form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from acting, in a particular way.
• Sentence: The court issued a writ of execution to seize the debtor's assets.

There you have it, folks! Fifty words that might have seemed intimidating at first glance but are now part of your arsenal. The next time you pick up a newspaper, you'll be reading with a newfound confidence. Remember, building vocabulary is a journey, not a destination. Keep practicing these words, try using them in your own conversations, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you become more fluent and knowledgeable. Happy reading, and stay curious!