The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary 26th February 2020
- clamp down on (phrasal verb) – prevent, stop, put an end to; keep under control.
- earshot (adjective) – hearing distance.
- nerve centre (adjective) – centre of activity, focal point, hub/heart.
- mob (noun) – a large, disorganized, and often violent crowd of people
- wield (verb) – use, put to use, employ, handle.
- take over (phrasal verb) – gain control of, take charge of, take command of.
- woefully (adverb) – very badly; deplorably, sadly/regrettably.
- at best (phrase) – simply, merely, only, nothing but.
- outrageously (adverb) – shockingly, excessively, appallingly.
- partisan (adjective) – biased, prejudiced, one-sided.
- at worst (phrase) – considering someone under the most unfortunate/negative way possible.
- erupt (verb) – break out, start suddenly, flare up.
- in the making (phrase) – burgeoning, coming, growing, developing.
- arson (noun) – setting fire intentionally to damage/destroy public properties, particularly buildings.
- indiscriminately (adverb) – aimlessly, unsystematically; carelessly.
- unleash (verb) – let loose, release, set free.
- passively (adverb) – submissively, unassertively, unresistingly/unassumingly.
- smoldering (adjective) – fuming, expressing, showing (great anger).
- conflagration (noun) – a large and destructive crisis (fire).
- take on (phrasal verb) – compete against, oppose, challenge/confront, fight.
- chaos (noun) – disorder, turmoil, mayhem/disruption.
- inexplicably (adverb) – in a way something can not be accountable/explainable/understandable.
- characterise (verb) – identify, specify, describe.
- inaction (noun) – inactivity, negligence, disregard.
- inefficiency (noun) – incapability, inability, failure, carelessness.
- incitement (noun) – inducement, motivation, provocation.
- consent (noun) – permission, authorization, approval.
- mobilisation (noun) – the act of bringing people/resources together for a particular cause.
- rung (noun) – level, rank, position/grade.
- on cue (phrase) – if something happens on cue, it happens after someone said that it would happen; at the signal/indication/hint of someone.
- cauldron (noun) – unstable situation, uncertainty (with emotions).
- conspiracy (noun) – unlawful plan, intrigue, collaboration/deception.
- beside the point (phrase) – irrelevant, pointless, unimportant.
- unfailing (adjective) – immeasurable, incalculable, inestimable; constant/steadfast.
- shallow (adjective) – insubstantial, superficial, insignificant, empty, trivial.
- under someone’s nose (phrase) – (of an action) done without fear and openly.
- collusion (noun) – conspiracy, intrigue, secret understanding, collaboration.
- whatever it takes (phrase) – anything, extreme measures it takes to achieve something.
