Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist: 21st Sept'21

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!

Cutting the captain: On Congress and Punjab

Important Words from the Article

1. Word: Ouster (निर्वासन)

• Pronunciation: ou-ster/ आउस्टर
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: 
  a. ejection from a property, especially wrongful ejection.
  b. dismissal or expulsion from a position.
• Synonyms: expulsion, ejection, eviction, removal
• Antonyms: absorb, addition, assimilation
• Usage in a sentence: Even after their ouster, Christmas did not regain its full luster.

2. Word: Baiter (उकसाने वाला)

• Pronunciation: beyt-er/बेटर
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: 
  a. a person who intentionally makes someone angry by saying or doing things to annoy them
• Synonyms: needler, persecutor, teaser, heckler 
• Antonyms: prey, scapegoat, victim
• Usage in a sentence: He had become famous as a baiter of left-wing politicians.

 3. Word: Change of guard (अवस्थांतर)

• Meaning:
  a. Any situation in which an individual or group charged with a task or responsibilities in an organization is replaced by another individual or group.
• Synonyms: alter, modify, change of power, the transition of power
• Antonyms: continuity, persist, stay
• Usage in a sentence: The changing of the guard says something about the two companies.

4. Word: Tenacious (अटल)

• Pronunciation: tuh-ney-shuhs/ tuh-ney-shuhs
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Meaning: 
  a. tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
  b. not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined.
  c. persisting in existence; not easily dispelled.
• Synonyms: stubborn, persistent, firm, determined, resolute
• Antonyms: loose, slack, weak, yielding
• Usage in a sentence: A tenacious trainer, she adheres to her gruelling swimming schedule no matter what

5. Word: Imminent (आने वाला)

• Pronunciation: im-uh-nuhnt/ इमनन्ट
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Meaning: 
  a. something that is about to happen.
• Synonyms: impending, approaching, forthcoming, at hand, immediate
• Antonyms: distant, far-off, doubtful
• Usage in a sentence: We are awaiting their imminent arrival.

6. Phrase: Tandem (एक के पीछे एक की क्रमबद्धता)

• Pronunciation: tan-duh m/ टैन्डम
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adverb, Adjective
• Meaning: 
  a. a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other. (Noun)
  b. with two or more horses harnessed one behind another. (Adverb)
  c. having two things arranged one in front of the other. (Adjective)
• Synonyms: team, pair, cooperation, series
• Antonyms: single, alone
• Usage in a sentence: The team has a tandem of talented guards.

7. Phrase: Unprecedented (अद्वितीय)

• Pronunciation: uhn-pres-i-den-tid/ अन्प्रेसिडेन्टिड
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Meaning:
  a. something never done or known before.
• Synonyms: unparalleled, record-breaking, remarkable
• Antonyms: traditional, familiar, typical
• Usage in a sentence: An unprecedented change has been the keynote of the electronic revolution.

8. Word: Provocative (उत्तेजक)

• Pronunciation: pruh-vok-uh-tiv/ प्रोवाकटिव
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Meaning: 
  a. causing anger or another strong reaction, especially deliberately.
  b. intended or intending to arouse sexual desire or interest.
• Synonyms: annoying, irritating, exasperating, infuriating, alluring, seductive, tempting
• Antonyms: soothing, calming, boring
• Usage in a sentence: Regional theatre is new, exciting, provocative and makes people talk.

9. Word: Propensity (रुझान)

• Pronunciation: pruh-pen-si-tee/प्रपेन्सिटी
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning:
  a. a natural inclination or tendency
• Synonyms: tendency, inclination, proclivity
• Antonyms: aversion, disfavor
• Usage in a sentence: He's well-known for his natural propensity for indiscretion.

10. Word: Jugular (कण्ठ संबंधी)

• Pronunciation: juhg-yuh-ler/जूग्यलर
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning:
  a. relating to the throat or neck
  b. (of a fish) having the pelvic fins at the throat, before the pectoral fins
• Synonyms: cervical, gruff, gular
• Usage in a sentence: She went straight for the jugular and asked him to explain his previous criminal record. 

'Writer's Corner'

Based on the description of the words, 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!

• Ouster
• Tandem
• Provocative
• Baiter
• Jugular 

Exercise 2: Match the columns.

Share your answers in the comment section. 

More from us:

For practice, attempt the quiz based on this daily wordlist from the link below to enhance your exam preparation: Vocabulary Quiz, Click here to attempt!

You can also check the wordlist articles for the previous days from the link below: Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist

That was your Vocabulary dose for the day. 

from BYJU'S Exam Prep