News from August 1–August 7, 2026
Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Stories about a rocket’s crash landing, a jungle’s ancient secrets, and a nation’s new name all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
appellation
noun: a name, title, or designation
From the headlines: One of the world’s smallest countries, formerly known as Nauru, changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. The new appellation matches the traditional spelling. Instead of Nauruan, the Pacific island nation’s 12,000 citizens will now be referred to as dei-Naoero, and its name will be pronounced “now-ero,” rather than “now-roo.” The name Nauru was adopted in 1968 because it was thought to be easier for foreigners to say.
collide
verb: crash together with violent impact
From the headlines: A large fragment of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket collided with the moon on August 5. The roughly four-ton piece of space debris is thought to have struck the lunar surface at approximately 5,400 miles per hour. NASA astronomers said the impact likely formed a new crater measuring about 60 feet across and 12 feet deep.
deepfake
noun: a digitally altered picture or video used to mislead people
From the headlines: One day after unveiling a tool that allowed users to easily create AI-generated Google Earth satellite images, Google removed it over concerns about deepfakes. The company plans to rerelease the program after “implementing stronger guardrails” against the creation of extremely realistic-looking bogus images. Researchers testing the tool were able to generate uncanny deepfakes including a flooded U.S. Capitol complex and a nonexistent nuclear plant in Iran.
fetid
adjective: having an offensive odor
From the headlines: After two decades, officials will finally clean up an abandoned Canadian facility whose odor has plagued the town of St. Mary’s in Newfoundland. The source of the stench was fetid sludge in 110 neglected 3,000-gallon tanks filled with fermenting fish sauce. Residents say the smell had become overpowering in recent years, and they welcomed the government’s decision to cover the cost of the cleanup.
glyph
noun: a symbolic character, especially one carved or incised
From the headlines: Archaeologists have identified hundreds of ancient geometric designs etched into the landscape of the southwestern Amazon. At least 400 glyphs, dating from about 600 BCE to 850 CE, were documented during aerial surveys of the region. Many of the enormous earthworks span areas of up to seven acres.
incommunicado
adjective: deprived of any communication with others
From the headlines: New photos of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been held incommunicado since her 2021 arrest, gave her family renewed hope for her safety. Aung San Suu Kyi has spent the past five years in isolation, unable to communicate with loved ones and supporters. The recent photographs showed her shaking hands with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
induce
verb: cause to act in a specified manner
From the headlines: As Chipotle enters the Mexican market, it faces the challenge of attracting customers to an American interpretation of familiar local cuisine. To induce people to visit its first Mexican store, located near Monterrey, the chain gave tote bags and hats to the first 100 customers. It also offered menu prices lower than those at its U.S. locations.
munitions
noun: materials used in war, especially weapons and ammunition
From the headlines: During a routine luggage screening at Gulf Shores International Airport in Alabama, TSA agents discovered five Civil War cannonballs in a passenger’s bag. Officers initially feared the munitions might still be explosive, but they were determined to be inert. The passenger said she and her young son had bought the cannonballs at a roadside stand and ultimately surrendered them before boarding their flight.
valorous
adjective: having or showing heroic qualities
From the headlines: A 16-year-old lifeguard braved violent waves to save a 10-year-old boy who was overcome by the surf at a Santa Cruz, California, beach. The valorous rescue by Ryder Williams was caught on video and quickly went viral. Williams rushed into the water when he saw the boy swept off his feet by a powerful wave. The two were pulled under several times, but Williams never let go of the boy and was ultimately able to pull him to safety.
windfall
noun: an unexpected gain or piece of good fortune
From the headlines: Eight of the world’s largest oil companies collectively earned more than $90 billion in profits during April, May, and June. This windfall came as the war in Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices skyrocketing. Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil were among the companies reporting exceptionally strong earnings.
