18th MARCH 2019 THE HINDU EDITORIAL VOCABULARY

WORD

MEANING

SYNONYMS

Lapse

Noun

A brief or temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment

Failure, Failing, Slip, Error, Mistake

Creaking 

Adjective

Making a harsh, high-pitched sound when being moved or when pressure or weight is applied.

Pedestrian

Noun

A person walking rather than traveling in a vehicle.

Walker, Person On Foot, Hiker, Rambler, Stroller

Underscore 

Noun

A line is drawn under a word or phrase for emphasis

Dash, Rule, Bar, Score

Irony

Noun

The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect

Sarcasm, Sardonicism, Dryness, Causticity

Stampede

Noun

A sudden panicked rush of a number of horses, cattle, or other animals.

Charge, Panic, Rush, Flight, Rout, Scattering

Rickety 

Adjective

(Of a structure or piece of equipment) poorly made and likely to collapse

Shaky, Unsteady, Unsound, Unsafe, Tottering

Chronic

Adjective

(Of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.

Persistent, Long-Standing, Long-Term, Constantly Recurring

Dismal 

Adjective

Causing a mood of gloom or depression

Dingy, Dim, Dark, Gloomy, Sombre, Dreary

Metropolis

Noun

The capital or chief city of a country or region

Capital, Capital City, Chief Town, Provincial Capital

Mollify

Verb

Appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)

Accountability

Noun

The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.

Responsibility, Liability, Answerability

Prolonged

Adjective

Continuing for a long time or longer than usual; lengthy

Continuous, Ongoing, Steady, Continual, Continuing

Overburden 

Verb

Load (someone) with too many things to carry.

Load, Weight, Charge

Levy

Verb

Impose (a tax, fee, or fine)

Impose, Charge, Exact, Demand, Raise, Collect, Gather

Distortion

Noun

The action of distorting or the state of being distorted

Warp, Twist, Contortion, Bend, Buckle, Deformation

Intervention

Noun

The action or process of intervening

WORD

MEANING

SYNONYMS

Massacre

Noun

Indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of many people.

Slaughter, Wholesale Slaughter, Mass Slaughter

Wake-up call

NOUN

A thing that alerts people to an unsatisfactory situation and prompts them to remedy it.

Supremacist

Noun

An advocate of the supremacy of a particular group, especially one determined by race or sex

Cult

Noun

A system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object.

Suspect

VERB

Have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of (something) without certain proof.

Fancy, Reckon, Guess, Surmise, Conjecture

Manifesto

Noun

A public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate

Platform, Programme, Declaration, Proclamation, Pronouncement

Invader

Noun

A person or group that invades a country, region, or other places

Attacker, Raider, Plunderer, Pillager, Marauder, Looter

Apparently

Adverb

As far as one knows or can see

Seemingly, Evidently, It Seems, It Seems That, It Would Seem

Semite

NOUN

A member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including in particular the Jews and Arabs.

Laud

VERB

Praise (a person or their achievements) highly

Racist

NOUN

A person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another.

Racial Bigot, Racialist, Xenophobe, Chauvinist

Fringe

Noun

An ornamental border of threads left loose or formed into tassels or twists, used to edge clothing or material

Edging, Edge, Border, Hem, Trimming, Frill, Flounce, Ruffle

Synagogue

Noun

A building in which Jews meet for religious worship or instruction

Obsess

Verb

Preoccupy or fill the mind of (someone) continually and to a troubling extent.

Possess, Haunt, Consume, Plague, Torment, Hound

Hardline

Noun

An uncompromising adherence to firm policy.

Islamophobic

Adjective

Having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force

Contour

Noun

An outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something.

Irrational 

Adjective

Not logical or reasonable

Unreasonable, Illogical, Groundless, Baseless, Unfounded

Apparatus

Noun

The technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose

Equipment, Gear, Rig, Tackle, Gadgetry, Paraphernalia