The Hindu Vocabulary 1 September 2022

Word/Phrase

Part of Speech/Idiom

Meaning

Synonyms

Antonyms

Example

Foes

Noun

A person or force that opposes or attacks.

(शत्रु)

Antagonist, Attacker, Competitor, Enemy, Adversary

Ally, Backer, Friend, Helper, Helpmate, Assistant

He may be my political foe but we have nothing personal.

Condolence

Noun

The act of expressing sympathy to someone who is suffering sorrow or grief.

(शोक/ संवेदना/ सहानुभूति/ मातमपुरसी)

Compassion, Consolation, Solace, Comfort

-

The grieving family received condolences from friends and relatives.

Gesture

Noun

A movement of arm, hand, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea or opinion.

(हाव-भाव/ इशारा/ भाव/ चेष्टा)

Action, Expression, Indication, Nod

Speech

His hand gesture was enough for me to understand that he wanted to leave.

Verb

To make gestures.

(इशारा करना)

Beckon, Flag, Motion, Signal

He gestured at the audience in the concert.

Infrastructure

Noun

The fundamental facilities serving an area as transportation, schools, power plants, residences, etc.

The basic framework of a system.

The permanent installations required for a military operation.

(आधारभूत संरचना/ पूर्वावश्यकता/ भूमिकारूप व्यवस्था)

Architecture, Armature, Cadre, Configuration, Edifice, Fabric, Frame, Skeleton, Base, Groundwork, Framework

-

Infrastructure damage in war is much more painful than it looks.

Recede

Verb

To become distant.

To move back or away.

(दूर जाना)

Abate, Sink, Ebb, Fade, Lessen, Retire

Develop, Enhance, Enlarge, Expand­­

The Bull gang won’t want the stocks to recede in the bear territory.

Vulnerable

Adjective

Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

(कमज़ोर)

Endanger, Risk, Jeopardize, Imperil, Unsafe, Unguarded

Safe, Protected, Guarded, Shielded, Resting, Resilient

During a crisis, it becomes our responsibility to take care of the vulnerable section of society.

Devastate

Verb

Destroy or ruin.

(तबाह हो गया)

Destroy, Ruin, Wreck, Ravage

Safeguard, Protect, Shield, Guard

Floods have devastated our city.

Tranche

Noun

A division of a whole.

(अंश/ श्रृंखला)

Division, Installment

Whole

The final tranche of funding has been sanctioned.

Crisis

Noun

A time of extreme difficulty.

A situation that has reached a critical phase.

(संकट)

Catastrophe, Change, Crunch, Emergency

Agreement, Benefit, Blessing, Breakthrough, Calm

She is suffering through a midlife crisis.

Humanitarian

Adjective

Having concern for the welfare and happiness of people.

(मानवीय)

Altruistic, Charitable, Humane, Philanthropic

Ailing, Unfit, Fragile, Impotent

The food crisis is a humanitarian one.

Noun

A person promoting activities of human welfare.

(मानवतावादी)

Altruist, Benefactor, Helper, Patron

Opponent, Egoist, Stingy

Many rich people choose a humanitarian way to lead their life.

Despite

Preposition

In spite of

(इसके बावजूद)

Regardless of, Although, Even though, Notwithstanding

-

My friends keep on asking about my relationship despite knowing about my current situation.

Noun

The feeling of despising someone or insulting.

(विरोध)

Contempt, Contemptuousness, Disdain, Misprision

Respect, Regard, Favour, Estimation

The despited he experienced in the village turned him against all villagers.

Seize

Verb

To take possession of something.

To possess by force.

To grab forcibly.

To resort to a plan.

To grasp mentally.

To take hold of something.

(पकड़ना/ पकड़ लेना/ छीनना / रोक लगाना)

Catch, Snatch, Appropriate, Clasp, Ambush, Annex, Apprehend, Arrest

Free, Give, Loosen, Reject, Offer, Release, Surrender, Lose

The Russian army has seized control of many Ukrainian cities.

Stranded

Adjective

Left without the means to move from somewhere.

(फंसे)

Helpless, Forsaken, Deserted, Ashore, Wrecked

Found

We were stranded in the Jungle after we lost track.

Calamity

Noun

Accident/ a disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering

(आपदा)

Blow, Catastrophe, Disaster, Debacle, Tragedy, Cataclysm, Adversity, Mishap

Blessing, Happiness, Wonder, Miracle, Boon, Good Luck

No one can prevent the occurrence of a natural calamity.

Churlish

Noun

marked by a lack of civility or graciousness

(अक्खड़)

difficult to work with or deal with

(साथ काम करना या उससे निपटना मुश्किल हो) 

Boorish, Classless, Cloddish, Loutish, Crude, Grumpy, Ornery, Sullen 

Happy, Polished, Nice, Refined, Gentle 

It would be churlish not to attend the party we have been invited for. 

Mitigate

Verb

Lighten/ To lessen in force or reduce in intensity.

(कम करना)

Allay, Alleviate, Assuage, Blunt, Soothe, Ease, Relieve

Aggravate, Agitate, Irritate, Extend

My plan is to first mitigate the risks involved in the project.