The Hindu Vocabulary 20 March 2026

Word/Phrase

Part of speech

Meaning

Synonyms

Antonyms

Sentence

Miscalculation

Noun

A mistake in assessment, evaluation, or mathematical calculation.

(गलत गणना)

Error, Blunder, Oversight, Slip, Fault, Inaccuracy, Misjudgment, Lapse, Flaw, Howler

Accuracy, Precision, Calculation, Correctness, Certainty, Success, Fact, Truth, Perfection, Exactness

The general's miscalculation of the enemy's strength led to a quick defeat.

Havoc

Noun

Widespread destruction; great confusion or disorder.

(तबाही)

Chaos, Destruction, Devastation, Disorder, Mayhem, Ruin, Catastrophe, Turmoil, Damage, Carnage

Order, Peace, Harmony, Organization, Calm, System, Construction, Preservation, Stability, Arrangement

The sudden thunderstorm wreaked havoc on the outdoor wedding decorations.

Ill- conceived

Adjective

Not carefully planned or thought through.

(अदूरदर्शी)

Foolish, Rash, Misguided, Poorly-planned, Unwise, Reckless, Faulty, Imprudent, Flawed, Absurd

Wise, Sensible, Prudent, Well-planned, Thoughtful, Logical, Sound, Effective, Rational, Judicious

The ill-conceived plan to build a mall in the middle of the desert was quickly abandoned.

Retaliatory

Adjective

(Of an action) characterized by a desire to get revenge.

(प्रतिशोधात्मक)

Revengeful, Vengeful, Reciprocal, Punitive, Retributive, Reactive, Compensatory, Avenging, Vindictive

Forgiving, Pardoning, Merciful, Kind, Gracious, Peaceful, Submissive, Condoning

The country launched a retaliatory air strike after its border was attacked.

Disastrous

Adjective

Causing great damage; highly unsuccessful.

(विनाशकारी)

Catastrophic, Calamitous, Ruinous, Terrible, Fatal, Tragic, Devastating, Dire, Adverse, Unfortunate

Successful, Beneficial, Fortunate, Lucky, Advantageous, Prosperous, Favorable, Helpful, Triumphant

The company suffered disastrous losses after the stock market crashed.

Escalate

Verb

To increase rapidly; to become or cause to become more intense or serious.

(बढ़ाना)

Intensify, Increase, Heighten, Amplify, Surge, Mount, Grow, Expand, Magnify, Rise

Decrease, Lessen, Diminish, Lower, Decline, Abate, Weaken, Shrink, Drop, Recede

We must resolve this argument now before it begins to escalate further.

Trigger

Verb

To cause an event or situation to happen or exist.

(सक्रिय करना)

Activate, Initiate, Spark, Prompt, Cause, Provoke, Generate, Launch, Induce, Stimulate

Stop, Halt, Block, Prevent, Check, End, Discourage, Repress, Squelch, Extinguish

High stress levels can often trigger a severe migraine.

Backlash

Noun

A strong and adverse reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development.

(तीव्र प्रतिक्रिया)

Reaction, Resentment, Recoil, Retaliation, Opposition, Counteraction, Reprimand, Response, Resistance, Rebound

Approval, Support, Acceptance, Endorsement, Encouragement, Consent, Agreement, Praise, Compliance, Favor

The government faced a public backlash after announcing the new tax law.

Prolong

Verb

To extend the duration of something; to make something last longer.

(लंबा खींचना)

Extend, Lengthen, Protract, Stretch, Sustain, Delay, Continue, Expand, Increase, Perpetuate

Shorten, Abbreviate, Curtail, Abridge, Contract, End, Halt, Reduce, Decrease, Stop

The mediator tried to prolong the talks to avoid an immediate strike.

Diplomacy

Noun

The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations.

(कूटनीति)

Statesmanship, Negotiation, Tact, Finesse, Politics, Discretion, Policy, Prudence, Mediation, Dialogue

Hostility, Rudeness, Conflict, Impoliteness, Warfare, Aggression, Tactlessness, Chaos, Ignorance

Through careful diplomacy, the two nations avoided a full-scale war.

Hostage

Noun

A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.

(बंधक)

Captive, Prisoner, Detainee, Pawn, Victim, Surety, Pledger, Convict, Inmate, Underling

Freeman, Liberator, Savior, Master, Guard, Captor, Keeper, Owner, Sovereign, Independent

The kidnappers demanded a large ransom in exchange for the hostage.

Aggression

Noun

Feelings of anger or antipathy resulting in hostile or violent behavior; readiness to attack or confront.

(आक्रामकता)

Hostility, Belligerence, Assault, Violence, Combativeness, Pugnacity, Militancy, Attack, Intrusiveness

Peace, Friendliness, Gentleness, Submission, Kindness, Calm, Passivity, Harmony, Mildness, Benevolence

The cat showed signs of aggression when the stranger tried to touch its food.