Grit grist

Confusing Word

20 words from this day's editorials with Hindi meaning

Read the words first, then the editorial: you will meet them in the text and remember them. Tap a word for its dictionary page.

Travail (noun)

Painful or laborious work; hard struggle कठिन परिश्रम; कष्टदायक प्रयास

Synonyms: Toil, Labor, Drudgery, Exertion

Antonyms: Leisure, Ease, Relaxation, Rest

Example: Years of travail finally paid off when she cleared the exam.

Pedestrian (adjective)

Lacking imagination; dull and ordinary साधारण; नीरस

Synonyms: Mundane, Dull, Ordinary, Uninspired

Antonyms: Imaginative, Inspired, Creative, Original

Example: The story had a pedestrian plot that failed to excite the readers.

Renown (noun)

The state of being widely known and respected; fame ख्याति; प्रसिद्धि

Synonyms: Fame, Prestige, Distinction, Eminence

Antonyms: Obscurity, Disrepute, Infamy, Dishonor

Example: The scientist gained renown for her groundbreaking research.

Wither (verb)

To become dry and shriveled; to lose strength or vitality मुरझाना; सूख जाना

Synonyms: Shrivel, Wilt, Decay, Fade

Antonyms: Flourish, Thrive, Bloom, Revive

Example: Without water, the plants began to wither in the hot sun.

Pilfer (verb)

To steal small items, especially repeatedly चोरी करना; छोटी-छोटी चीज़ें चुराना

Synonyms: Steal, Swipe, Purloin, Pinch

Antonyms: Return, Restore, Give, Donate

Example: Someone tried to pilfer stationery from the office supply room.

Flout (verb)

To openly disregard or disobey किसी नियम/आदेश की खुलेआम अवहेलना करना

Synonyms: Defy, Disregard, Violate, Disobey

Antonyms: Obey, Comply, Follow, Observe

Example: He was fined for flouting the traffic rules in a crowded market.

Induce (verb)

To cause or bring about; to persuade someone to do something प्रेरित करना; उत्पन्न करना

Synonyms: Persuade, Prompt, Cause, Trigger

Antonyms: Deter, Prevent, Discourage, Dissuade

Example: The doctor tried to induce labor due to medical complications.

Shirk (verb)

To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility कर्तव्य से बचना; जिम्मेदारी टालना

Synonyms: Evade, Avoid, Neglect, Dodge

Antonyms: Fulfill, Perform, Undertake, Discharge

Example: He was warned for trying to shirk his responsibilities at work.

Sully (verb)

To damage the purity, reputation, or appearance of; to stain or tarnish दागदार करना; बदनाम करना

Synonyms: Tarnish, Stain, Besmirch, Defile

Antonyms: Cleanse, Purify, Honor, Praise

Example: The false allegation could sully his hard-earned reputation.

Edify (verb)

To instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually नैतिक या बौद्धिक रूप से सुधारना; शिक्षित करना

Synonyms: Educate, Enlighten, Instruct, Uplift

Antonyms: Corrupt, Mislead, Degrade, Confuse

Example: The teacher’s stories were meant to edify the students, not just entertain them.

Confound (verb)

Confuse or puzzle someone; mix up or thwart भ्रमित करना

Synonyms: Confuse, Baffle, Perplex, Bewilder

Antonyms: Clarify, Explain, Enlighten, Simplify

Example: The tricky question was designed to confound even well-prepared students

Multitude (noun)

A large number of people or things; a crowd भीड़; बहुत बड़ी संख्या

Synonyms: Crowd, Mass, Horde, Throng

Antonyms: Few, Minority, Scarcity, Small number

Example: A multitude of fans gathered outside the stadium to see the players.

Contemplate (verb)

Think deeply about something; consider carefully चिंतन करना; गहराई से विचार करना

Synonyms: Consider, Ponder, Reflect, Meditate

Antonyms: Ignore, Disregard, Neglect, Dismiss

Example: She sat quietly to contemplate her future career options.

Menace (noun)

A threat or danger; something that can cause harm खतरा; धमकी

Synonyms: Threat, Danger, Hazard, Peril

Antonyms: Safety, Security, Protection, Blessing

Example: The spread of fake news has become a serious menace to society.

Sentinel (noun)

A guard or watchman who keeps watch; someone/something that stands as a protector पहरेदार; चौकीदार

Synonyms: Guard, Watchman, Sentry, Protector

Antonyms: Intruder, Attacker, Trespasser, Invader

Example: A sentinel stood at the gate to prevent unauthorized entry.

Prestige (noun)

Widespread respect and admiration; high status or reputation प्रतिष्ठा

Synonyms: Reputation, Status, Renown, Eminence

Antonyms: Disgrace, Shame, Dishonor, Infamy

Example: Winning the award brought great prestige to the university.

Summit (noun)

The highest point of a mountain; a meeting of top leaders शिखर; शिखर सम्मेलन

Synonyms: Peak, Apex, Crest, Conference

Antonyms: Base, Bottom, Nadir, Low point

Example: The climbers finally reached the summit after a long and exhausting trek.

Flounder (verb)

Struggle or move clumsily; have great difficulty; fail to know what to do हाथ-पैर मारना; जूझना

Synonyms: Struggle, Stumble, Fumble, Waver

Antonyms: Succeed, Thrive, Progress, Excel

Example: Without guidance, he began to flounder during the new job training.

Interim (noun)

A temporary period between events; the time in between अंतरिम अवधि; बीच का समय

Synonyms: Interval, Interlude, Meantime, Break

Antonyms: Permanence, Continuity, Eternity, Duration

Example: In the interim, the company appointed an acting manager to handle daily work.

Edict (noun)

An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority आदेश; राजाज्ञा

Synonyms: Decree, Order, Proclamation, Mandate

Antonyms: Request, Appeal, Entreaty, Suggestion

Example: The king issued an edict banning trade with the enemy.

The editorial

Source: Confusing Word · 9 Feb 2026

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Quick quiz: 5 questions on these words

Synonyms and antonyms, the way exams ask them. Answers show as you tap.

1. Synonym of Edify

2. Antonym of Pedestrian

3. Synonym of Contemplate

4. Antonym of Wither

5. Synonym of Edict

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