Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist: 6 March, 2019

Vocabulary plays a very important role in enhancing your communication skills, be it written or spoken. As you glance through the newspaper every day, you come across a number of new words. Your reading exercise is impeded if you do not understand the meaning of a word, or its meaning in a given context. Such challenges can be overcome by inculcating a sound habit of reading. The habit lets you encounter something new every day in the form of words, the meaning of which you were unaware of.
In keeping with the idea of learning and scoring better in English, we bring to you our series, ‘Shape up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist’. A daily dose of this article acquaints you with commonly (and not so commonly) used English words. The series tries to feature every such word, with its meaning, contextual usage, pronunciation, synonym, antonym, proper use in sentences, etc., that could save you from sitting with a dictionary while reading. Ultimately, it facilitates smooth reading and better intake of the newspaper article.

Given below is an important editorial from the newspaper ‘The Hindu’. Read it, understand the context and go through the meanings of words to boost up your learning.

Happy Reading!

Raja Mandala: The Gulf as a channel of peace

Important Words from the Article

1. Word: Nudge (टहोका मारना)

Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
Pronunciation: nuhj/ नज
Meaning:
a. prod (someone) gently with one's elbow in order to attract attention. [Verb]
b. a light touch or push. [Noun]
Synonyms: push, poke
Antonyms: discourage, dissuade
Usage in a Sentence: I gave him a nudge to wake him up.

2. Word: Moderation (संतुलन)

Pronunciation: mod-uh-rey-shuh n/ माडरेशन
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one's behaviour or political opinions.
Synonyms: restraint, continence, abstain
Antonyms: greed, excess, extreme
Usage in a Sentence: Some people think drinking in moderation can prevent heart disease.

3. Word: Defuse (स्थिति को गंभीर होने से रोकना)

Pronunciation: dee-fyooz/ डिफ्यूज़
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning:
a. remove the fuse from (an explosive device) in order to prevent it from exploding
b. make (a situation) less tense or dangerous.
Synonyms: unset, deactivate, appease, relieve
Antonyms: aggravate, agitate, stimulate
Usage in a Sentence: A spokesman said this firm action had defused a very nasty situation.

4. Word: Parlous (ख़तरनाक)

Pronunciation: pahr-luh s/पार्लस
Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
Meaning:
a. full of danger or uncertainty; precarious. [Adjective]
b. greatly or excessively. [Adverb]
Synonyms: perilous, hazardous, risky
Antonyms: secure, innocent, hopeful
Usage in a Sentence: My cousins had a parlous journey on hilly areas.

5. Word: Amenable (प्रतिसंवेदी)

Pronunciation: uh-mee-nuh-buhl/ अमेनबल
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.
Synonyms: complaint, manageable, controllable
Antonyms: stubborn, defiant, obstinate
Usage in a Sentence: His scientific discoveries are amenable to the laws of physics.

6. Word: Entrenched (अंतर्निहित)

Pronunciation: en-tren-ch-d/ इन्ट्रेन्च्ट
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: to establish an attitude, habit, or belief so strongly that it is not likely to change
Synonyms: fixed, inflexible, instilled
Antonyms: vulnerable, adjustable, unestablished
Usage in Sentence: Our soldiers have entrenched themselves behind the battle lines.

7. Word: Loom (संकट मँडराना)

Pronunciation: loom/ लूम
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: appear as a vague form, especially one that is large or threatening
Synonyms: menace, emerge, stand out
Antonyms: disappear, diminish, remove
Use in a Sentence: We should flag those problems that could loom ahead.

8. Word: Embark (प्रारम्भ करना)

Part of Speech: Verb
Pronunciation: em-bahrk/ इम्बार्क
Meaning: begin (a course of action).
Synonyms: commence, initiate
Antonyms: conclude, culminate
Use in a Sentence: The man is about to embark on a strategic career.

9. Word: Vacuum (शून्य स्थान)

Pronunciation: vak-yoom/ वैक्यूअम
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
Meaning:
a. a space entirely devoid of matter. (Noun)
b. clean with a vacuum cleaner. (Verb)
Synonyms: void, emptiness, vacancy
Antonyms: fullness, abundance
Usage in a Sentence: The writer criticized the moral vacuum in society.

10. Word: Expeditionary (अभियान का)

Pronunciation: ek-spi-dish-uh-ner-ee/ एक्स्पडिशनेरी
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: of or forming an expedition, especially a military expedition.
Synonyms: legionary, travelling
Antonyms: civilian
Usage in a Sentence: In September Parliament sent an expeditionary force against them, under Warwick as admiral.

11. Word: Expatriate (निर्वासित करना)

Pronunciation: eks-pey-tree-eyt/ एक्स्पेट्रीएट
Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective, Verb
Meaning:
a. a person who lives outside their native country. (Noun)
b. denoting or relating to a person living outside their native country. (Adjective)
c. send (a person or money) abroad. (Verb)
Synonyms: exile, banish, expel
Antonyms: repatriate, hold
Usage in a Sentence: Most expatriates will benefit from consulting an independent financial adviser for specialist help.

12. Word: Castigate (दण्ड देना)

Pronunciation: kas-ti-geyt/ कैस्टगेट
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: reprimand (someone) severely.
Synonyms: punish, reprimand, scold
Antonyms: celebrate, praise, laud
Usage in a Sentence: She could not find sufficient reproaches with which to castigate herself.

'Writer's Corner'

Based on the words description, we have some practice questions for you. Answer these questions in the comments section. Our team will review them at the earliest!

Exercise 1. Make your own Sentences!

Here are some of the words from the above article. Try to frame sentences from them in your own words and share them with us in the comments section!