Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist: 27th July, 2018

Vocabulary is an essential tool to score good marks in the English section. You have to intensify the command over it essentially. Improve your reading skills by reading the newspaper daily and hence note down the meanings of new and different words. This way you will be able to understand the context of the sentences very easily.

Reading articles from newspapers helps you in two-way: Memorise Static Facts from the Article & Enhance your Vocab

‘Shape up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist’: This series aims to help you understand the different aspects of the commonly used words, ranging from their meaning, pronunciation to proper use in sentences.

Editorial Article: ‘The Hindu’: Sanctions Relief

Answer GK Questions in the comment section!

Q1. Donald Trump is the president of which country?

Q2. What is the currency of Vietnam?

Q3. Who is the foreign secretary of India?

Challenging words from the article

1. Word of the day: Reconcile (मेल करना या कराना)

Pronunciation: rek-uh n-sahyl/रेकन्साइल
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: restore friendly relations between.
Synonyms: harmonize, conciliate
Antonyms: alienate, disagree
Use in a Sentence: You must reconcile yourself to your present job.

2. Word: Reluctantly (अनिच्छापूर्वक)

Pronunciation: ri-luhk-tuh nt-ly/रिलक्टन्ट्ली
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: in an unwilling and hesitant way.
Synonyms: diffidently, cautiously
Antonyms: eagerly, voluntarily
Use in a Sentence: I was reluctantly persuaded to join the committee.

3. Word: Punitive (दण्डकर)

Pronunciation: pyoo-ni-tiv/प्यूनिटिव
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: inflicting or intended as punishment.
Synonyms: harsh, corrective
Antonyms: rehabilitative, rewarding
Use in a Sentence: The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders.

4. Word: Contingent (आकस्मिक)

Pronunciation: kuh n-tin-juh nt/कन्टिन्जन्ट
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning:
a. subject to chance.
b. occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case; dependent on.
Synonyms: fortuitous, conditional
Antonyms: certain, necessary
Use in a Sentence: Our success is contingent upon your support.

5. Word: Capricious (अस्थिर)

Pronunciation: kuh-prish-uh s/कप्रिशस
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning:
a. given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour.
b. changing according to no discernible rules; unpredictable.
Synonyms: erratic, changeable
Antonyms: steady, constant
Use in a Sentence: The author characterizes his star as capricious and vehement.

6. Word: Testimony (गवाही)

Pronunciation: tes-tuh-moh-nee/टेस्टमोनी
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning:

a. a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.

b. evidence or proof of something.

Synonyms: confirmation, verification, declaration
Antonyms: denial, refuttal, charge
Use in a Sentence: The testimony of witnesses supported the defendant.

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: Impose (प्रभाव डालना)

Pronunciation: im-pohz/इम्पोज़
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning:
a. force (an unwelcome decision or ruling) on someone.
b. take advantage of someone by demanding their attention or commitment.
Synonyms: enforce, inflict
Antonyms: agreeable, coax
Use in a Sentence: The court can impose a fine or a prison sentence.

9. Word: Prudent (चतुर)

Pronunciation: prood-nt/प्रूडन्ट
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
Synonyms: careful, wise
Antonyms: foolish, careless
Use in a Sentence: It would be prudent to save some of the money.

11. Word: Stand-offs (क़ायम)

Pronunciation: stand-awf, -of / स्टैन्ड ऑफ
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: a deadlock between two equally matched opponents in a dispute or conflict. / something that counterbalances.
Synonyms: Standstill, Stalemate
Antonyms: Conclusion, Decision
Use in a Sentence: The standoff between friends ended peacefully the following day.

12. Word: Blow Over (थम जाना)

Pronunciation: ब्लो ओवर
Part of Speech: Phrase of Blow
Meaning: (of trouble) fade away without serious consequences.
Synonyms: abate, subside
Antonyms: occur, emerge
Use in a Sentence: They have numerous complaints, but they soon blow over.

12. Word: Waiver (त्याग)

Pronunciation: wey-ver/वैवर
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: an act or instance of waiving a right or claim.
Synonyms: abdication, relinquishment
Antonyms: claim, charge
Use in a Sentence: Is there any process for getting a waiver for test cases?

13. Word: Relent (दया करना)

Pronunciation: ri-lent/रिलेन्ट
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning:

a. abandon or mitigate a severe or harsh attitude, especially by finally yielding to a request.

b. become less severe or intense.

Synonyms: yield, give way
Antonyms: increase, rise
Use in a Sentence: The police will not relent in their fight against crime.

Practice Time

Based on the above article, we have some practice questions for you. Try to answer these questions in the comments section & our team will review them at the earliest!

Exercise 1:

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!

Relent
Waiver
Blow over
Stand offs
Prudent

Exercise 2:

Match the column

S.No	Give one synonym and antonym of the word other than mentioned above.
1	Impose
2	Loom
3	Testimony
4	Capricious
5	Contingent
6	Punitive
7	Reluctantly
8	Reconcile