This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for July 13–July 19, 2025

On July 14, European trade ministers met to discuss a response to threats of new U.S. tariffs, hoping to soften potential acrimony between the EU and the Trump administration. EU officials agreed to prepare countermeasures against the "absolutely unacceptable" 30 percent tariffs, but they were also unified in wanting to pursue a deal with the U.S. that would avoid further animosity with their major trading partner. Acrimony is from the Latin acrimonia, "sharpness."

Six years after a Tesla vehicle's Autopilot function allegedly failed to work properly, causing one fatality, a lawsuit against the company began this week in Florida. The driver had engaged the driver-assistance feature, meant to accelerate and brake automatically, when his Tesla Model S ran a stop sign and hit a parked car. The crash killed a 22-year-old woman and injured another person. The plaintiff accused Tesla of exaggerating the capabilities of its cars' Autopilot setting.

Some doctors are using "social prescriptions" to complement conventional treatment plans. Patients diagnosed with chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease might receive a doctor's order to spend time in nature, listen to music, or take daily walks — all known to boost health and healing. These activities are meant to work in conjunction with medication and other therapies. Complement is from a Latin word meaning "that which completes."

A Supreme Court decision will allow the Trump administration to curtail the federal government's role in public education and fire more than 1,000 Education Department employees. The ruling means that the administration can pursue its policy of cutting the department down to half its 2024 size, effectively diminishing its power to administer student loans and oversee civil rights in schools. The Old French source of curtail is courtault, meaning "made short."

Atlanta police have issued an arrest warrant for a suspect in the theft of hard drives containing unreleased music by Beyoncé. A member of Beyoncé's team reported that set lists and concert footage plans were also missing after a car they had rented was broken into. The larceny happened during a stop on the performer's Cowboy Carter Tour. Larceny is derived from the Latin latro, "robber or bandit."

After a 16-year closure, the Bronx Zoo's World of Darkness exhibit featuring nocturnal species has reopened. The display allows visitors to see animals that are usually asleep in the daytime and active in the dark of night. The lighting mimics natural cycles of night and day in reverse. Each room is tailored to specific animals, including bats, sand cats, armadillos, and lemurs known as aye-ayes. Nocturnal is derived from the Latin nocturnus, "belonging to the night."

Weird Al Yankovic, widely considered the most successful and best-known song parodist, played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was Yankovic's first time performing at the 20,000-seat venue. Yankovich has had a 40-year career writing and performing smart and hilarious parodies of popular music. His hits include "Eat It," a spoof of Michael Jackson's "Beat It," and "I Love Rocky Road," his comic take on "I Love Rock 'n Roll."

Economists say that while the unemployment rate is low, many employers are skittish about hiring, and recent college graduates are having difficulty finding jobs. Tech companies, consulting firms, and the federal government are downsizing or freezing hiring, and many industries have been generally cautious about increasing their payroll expenses. Adding to this nervous uncertainty among employers is the fact that fewer people are quitting their jobs, resulting in a lack of open positions.

Scientists are intrigued by footage showing animals known to be predator and prey calmly walking in tandem. Ocelots usually prey on opossums, but a researcher's camera captured nighttime video of the wildcat strolling in line with the marsupial. Later, the ocelot was again seen prowling as the opossum followed behind. Other scientists have observed at least three additional examples of the behavior. Tandem's first meaning was "carriage with two horses, one behind the other."

A volatile wildfire destroyed dozens of buildings at Grand Canyon National Park. The Dragon Bravo Fire, which had been allowed to slowly burn for about two weeks, suddenly erupted, fueled by strong, gusty winds and hot temperatures. The fire intensified quickly, exploding past containment lines and sweeping through 500 acres of the park. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge was one of about 70 structures lost in the fire, and rangers closed the park's North Rim section to visitors.