Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist: 4th October, 2018

In English, Vocabulary plays an important role to score good marks. Students have to increase command over it by enhancing their reading skills. Now, reading habits can be made by reading the newspaper on daily basis and understanding the meaning of different words. This exercise will help you to understand the context of the sentences very easily.

Our series, ‘Shape up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist’ help you understand the commonly used words with their meaning, pronunciation, synonym, antonym, proper use in sentences, etc.

Here is an important editorial from the newspaper ‘The Hindu’, followed by important words from the same, to help you strengthen your vocabulary.

Happy Reading!

Pawar games — defending Modi on Rafale

Important Words from the Article

1. Word: Construe (समझाना)

Pronunciation: kuh n-stroo/कन्स्ट्रू
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning:
a. interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

b. analyse the syntax of (a text, sentence, or word).

Synonyms: interpret, understand
Antonyms: befuddle, complicate
Use in a Sentence: He may construe the approach as a hostile act.

2. Word: Murky (फीका)

Pronunciation: mur-kee/मर्की
Part of Speech:
Meaning:
a. dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist.

b. obscure or morally questionable.

Synonyms: dubious, suspicious, secret
Antonyms: luminous, glowing
Use in a Sentence: The man gazed into the murky depths of the water.

3. Word: Discordant (विपरीत)

Pronunciation: dis-kawr-dnt/डिस्कॉर्डन्ट
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning:
a. disagreeing or incongruous.

b. (of sounds) harsh and jarring because of a lack of harmony.

Synonyms: inharmonious, contradictory
Antonyms: agreeable, pacifist
Use in a Sentence: The two experiments gave us discordant results.

4. Word: Crony (घनिष्ठ मित्र)

Pronunciation: kroh-nee/क्रोनी
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: a close friend or companion.
Synonyms: buddy, associate
Antonyms: challenger, opponent
Use in a Sentence: The man was playing games with his cronies.

5. Word: Taint (अपमान)

Pronunciation: teynt/टैन्ट
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
Meaning:

a. a trace of a bad or undesirable substance or quality. [oun]

b. contaminate or pollute (something). [Verb]

Synonyms: tarnish, defile
Antonyms: purify, improve
Use in a Sentence: The inquiry cleared him of any taint of mistrust/dishonesty.

6. Word: Retraction (त्याग)

Pronunciation: ri-trak-shuh n/रीट्रैक्शन
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning:
a. the action of drawing something back or back in.

b. a withdrawal of a statement, accusation, or undertaking.

Synonyms: revocation, withdrawal
Antonyms: confirmation, declaration
Use in a Sentence: The newspaper printed a retraction for their previous error.

7. Word: Ally (मित्रपक्ष)

Pronunciation: uh-lahy/ऐली
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
Meaning:
a. a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose. [Noun]

b. combine or unite a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit. [Verb]

Synonyms: collaborator, associate
Antonyms:
Use in a Sentence: She had found an ally in her old teacher.

8. Word: Probe (जांच करना)

Pronunciation: prohb/प्रोब
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
Meaning:
a. a thorough investigation into a crime or other matter. [Noun]

b. explore or examine (something), especially with the hands or an instrument. [Verb]

Synonyms: scrutinize, inquiry
Antonyms: glimpse, absurd
Use in a Sentence: I don't want to probe too deeply into your personal affairs.

9. Word: Drive a hard bargain (लाबदायक समझौते पर दृढ रहना)

Part of Speech: Phrase of Bargain
Meaning:
a. be uncompromising in making a deal.

b. to expect a lot in exchange for what you pay or do

Synonyms: negotiable, bargain
Antonyms: cost an arm and a leg (extremely expensive)
Use in a Sentence: Don't drive a hard bargain over such a little thing.

10. Word: Mantle (ढकना/दायित्व)

Pronunciation: man-tl/मैन्टल
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
Meaning:
a. an important role or responsibility that passes from one person to another. [Noun]

b. cloak or envelop. [Verb]

Synonyms: onus, job, conceal, hide
Antonyms: give insight, make public
Use in a Sentence: He has been asked to take on the mantle of managing director in the new office.

Practice Time

Exercise 1:

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!

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!