News from July 4–July 10, 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 fast walkers, a “67” battle, and a fireworks-free town all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
ascend
verb: move, climb, or go upward
From the headlines: Two extreme climbers scaled the 200-foot spire atop the Empire State Building, where they unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Then, after they ascended the needle, Ivan Beerkus proposed to Angela Nikolau. The couple made it down safely but were then arrested for breaking a security door to access the building.
assuage
verb: make milder or less severe; alleviate
From the headlines: This year, a record number of dog owners spent the July 4 weekend in a small California town that doesn’t allow fireworks. People who find it impossible to assuage their nervous pups’ anxiety during noisy celebrations have increasingly sought out pyrotechnic-free havens. Traveling to peaceful Cambria, located on the state’s central coast, alleviated stress for both the dogs and their owners.
celerity
noun: swiftness; speed
From the headlines: New research suggests that people in their 80s who walk with extreme celerity have a lower risk of cognitive decline than slower walkers. Researchers call this fast-paced group “super movers,” defining them as the speediest nine percent within the over-80 age bracket. A study showed that these swift walkers were fifty percent less likely to show signs of age-related reduced brain function than their more leisurely peers.
meme
noun: an amusing image, video, or phrase that spreads on the internet
From the headlines: Perdue Foods has filed a lawsuit against Soules Foods, alleging the company copied its idea for “67 Chicken Nuggets.” The lawsuit centers on the viral “67” meme, which took off among kids last summer. Perdue is seeking a trademark for “67” and a logo featuring hands gesturing below six- and seven-shaped nuggets, while Soules argues that no one can own a specific food shape.
nullify
verb: render or declare legally void or invalid
From the headlines: For the first time since 1962, FIFA nullified a World Cup red card suspension, allowing U.S. player Folarin Balogun to play in the next round. Balogun had been sent off for stepping on Bosnian player Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle, but many fans argued the call was too harsh, while others criticized FIFA’s decision to nullify the suspension. Balogun returned for the next match, but the U.S. lost 4-1 to Belgium.
obsequy
noun: funeral rite or ceremony
From the headlines: Hundreds of thousands of Iranian mourners attended the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 6. The decades-long supreme leader of Iran was killed by Israeli airstrikes in February, with his death drawing both supporters who honored his leadership and critics who opposed his rule. Khamenei’s obsequies included a public procession through Tehran followed by memorial rites at major Shiite holy sites in Iran and Iraq. The ayatollah’s funeral ceremonies included a mix of religious symbolism and political messaging.
rapscallion
noun: a playfully mischievous person; rascal
From the headlines: Australian officials are asking people to keep their distance from Neal, a 2,200-pound elephant seal and notorious rapscallion. Over the past month, Neal has roamed Wellington, bending fences, flattening a “stay away from seals” sign, blocking traffic with roadside naps, and gaining a big social media following. As adorable as he is, experts warn that Neal could be dangerous if approached.
schism
noun: division or disunion of a group
From the headlines: The Vatican excommunicated bishops and priests belonging to the Society of St. Pius X, and said the breakaway Catholic society was in schism from the Roman Catholic Church. The group opposes modern Church reforms and celebrates the ancient Latin Mass. Recently, it has defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating new bishops against his direction. The rift means that those who attend Society of St. Pius X Masses also risk excommunication.
skiff
noun: a boat that’s small enough for sailing or rowing by one person
From the headlines: Thirty-two-year-old Kelsey Pfendler completed a solo row from California to Hawaii. Pfendler, who works as a rafting guide on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, rowed her twenty-one-foot skiff more than 2,300 miles, a trip that took her forty-four days. As well as being the first American woman to finish the trip, Pfendler was also the youngest to accomplish the feat — and the fastest.
sylvan
adjective: relating to the woods
From the headlines: A small Canadian town became the first to sign the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Trees, recognizing trees’ legal right to exist and thrive. Terrasse-Vaudreuil says it will protect existing trees to preserve its sylvan character, reduce heat, and improve air quality. Founded in a forest seventy-five years ago, the town is known for its waterfront setting and lush tree canopy.
