- standstill (noun) – deadlock, impasse, stalemate/stand-off.
- stadia (plural noun) – stadiums.
- obsess (verb) – preoccupy, engross, concern, absorb/dominate.
- static (adjective) – inactive, at rest.
- DNA (noun) – (figuratively) basic or fundamental traits, qualities, or characteristics of a person.
- novel coronavirus (nCoV) (SARS-CoV-2) (noun) – a new strain (type/variety) coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. (Courtesy: WHO)
- pandemic (noun) – the worldwide spread of a new disease; The illness spreads around the world and typically affects a large number of people across a wide area.
- lockdown (noun) – an emergency protocol implemented by the authorities that prevents people from leaving from a place; An extended state of confinement/encirclement/isolation of a person by the authority.
- grim (adjective) – terrible, awful, dreadful, horrible.
- the new normal (phrase) – an earlier unusual situation that becomes a standard now.
- ironically (adverb) – paradoxically, unexpectedly, strangely.
- leap into (verb) – reach hurriedly, act suddenly, jump.
- vulnerable (adjective) – weak, at risk, unsafe, easily damaged.
- cut across (phrasal verb) – have an effect (in spite of boundaries); transcend, go beyond, rise above.
- whispered (adjective) – said softly; moaned, murmured/muttered.
- plea (noun) – appeal, request, petition.
- sore (adjective) – painful, hurting, aching.
- sprint (verb) – run at full speed (especially over a short distance).
- turf (noun) – race tracks.
- accompaniment (noun) – backing, support, background.
- sunshine (noun) – happiness, cheerfulness, joyfulness, gladness.
- spectator (noun) – onlooker, viewer, observer.
- longing (noun) – desire, wish, yearning.
- kinetic (adjective) – driving, propelling, operative.
- devise (verb) – formulate, come up with, create, develop.
- mechanism (noun) – procedure, process, method/technique.
- shed (verb) – discard, get rid of, do away with, abandon, have done with.
- rust (noun) – a condition of becoming weak resulting from lack of use (lack of practice for sports person).
- at large (phrase) – as a whole, generally.
- fix (noun) – solution, answer, remedy.
- non-negotiable (adjective) – absolute, nonadjustable, unchallengeable.
- build-up (noun) – development.
- see the light (phrase) – understand, comprehend, realize, get the point.
- diktat (noun) – order, regulation, decree.
- echo (verb) – repeat, say again, restate, reiterate.
- shade (noun) – a slightly different type of something.
- cue-sports (noun) – another term for billiards.
- legacy (noun) – something received from a predecessor or from the past.
- build upon (phrasal verb) – develop, expand/enlarge on; enhance.
- drill (noun) – training, practice.
- replicate (verb) – reproduce.
- ward (noun) – trainee, protégé, dependant.
- adhere to (verb) – abide by, follow, obey, comply with.
- harbour (verb) – give shelter & carry an organism (virus/bacteria).
- reflex (adjective) – response, reaction.
- ubiquitous (adjective) – universal, predominant, very common, popular.
- kick-start (verb) – uplift, revive, boost, inspire (to start/resume something).
- glitter (noun) – glamour/magic, excitement, thrills, attractions.
- stardust (noun) – a magical quality.
- journeyman (noun) – a player who is ok, but not superb.
- rookie (noun) – starter, beginner, newcomer.
- shrug aside (phrasal verb) – ignore, disregard, dismiss.
- state-of-the-art (adjective) – modern, advanced/highly developed, sophisticated.
- stretch (verb) – extend.
- needy (adjective) – poor, needful, disadvantaged, underprivileged, impoverished.
- besides (preposition) – apart from, in addition to.
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