The editorial
Source: The Hindu · 5 Jan 2026In the closing weeks of 2025, a series of violent incidents across India exposed a disturbing pattern of mob violence directed at migrants who were labelled foreigners — Bangladeshis and Chinese — by their attackers. In these cases, the three victims were Indian citizens from various parts of the country. Suspicion based on language, region, appearance or presumed nationality is escalating into mob violence in different regions. This is extremely worrying and the police must act strictly. The political leadership in States and the Centre must make it clear that such violence is unacceptable. In Palakkad district, Kerala, Ram Narayan Baghel, a 31-year-old migrant worker from Chhattisgarh was lynched by a mob on December 17. Baghel was accused of theft and repeatedly questioned about his identity, with his attackers allegedly asking him whether he was “Bangladeshi” before beating him to death. Kerala is heavily dependent on migrant labour, and prides itself on its high levels of education and law and order. The lynching is a blot on its reputation. On December 24, in Sambalpur in Odisha, a young migrant worker from West Bengal was beaten to death by a mob that accused him of being a “Bangladeshi”. Juel Sheikh, a daily wage labourer, was confronted at a tea stall by unidentified persons who demanded his identity documents and accused him of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. Two days later, in another incident from Odisha, a Bengali-speaking street vendor from West Bengal was assaulted.
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The important words of this editorial with Hindi meaning, synonyms, antonyms and an example. Tap a word for its dictionary page.
Panoply (noun)
A splendid display or impressive collection (of things). भव्य प्रदर्शन
Synonyms: Array, Spectacle, Display, Assortment
Antonyms: Scarcity, Meagerness, Simplicity, Plainness
Example: The parade offered a panoply of colors, music, and traditions.
Diurnal (adjective)
Active during the day; occurring in the daytime. दिवाचर
Synonyms: Daytime, Daily, Day-active, Daylight
Antonyms: Nocturnal, Nighttime, Night-active, Nightly
Example: Many birds are diurnal and search for food in daylight.
Protracted (adjective)
Lasting for a long time; prolonged. लंबे समय तक चलने वाला
Synonyms: Prolonged, Lengthy, Extended, Drawn-out
Antonyms: Brief, Short, Swift, Momentary
Example: The negotiations became protracted due to repeated disagreements.
Lassitude (noun)
A state of physical or mental tiredness; lack of energy. थकान
Synonyms: Fatigue, Weariness, Lethargy, Exhaustion
Antonyms: Energy, Vigor, Vitality, Alertness
Example: After the long journey, she felt overwhelming lassitude.
Approbation (noun)
Approval or praise. स्वीकृति
Synonyms: Approval, Commendation, Praise, Endorsement
Antonyms: Disapproval, Condemnation, Criticism, Censure
Example: Her innovative work earned the approbation of senior officials.
Insubstantial (adjective)
Lacking solidity or real substance; not important or significant. असार
Synonyms: Flimsy, Unimportant, Trivial, Hollow
Antonyms: Substantial, Solid, Significant, Weighty
Example: The report was criticized for its insubstantial evidence.
Solecism (noun)
A grammatical mistake in speech or writing; a breach of proper manners. व्याकरणिक त्रुटि
Synonyms: Blunder, Grammatical error, Impropriety, Faux pas
Antonyms: Correctness, Propriety, Accuracy, Elegance
Example: His essay was full of solecisms that weakened his argument.
Stultify (verb)
Make ineffective or useless; to stifle or dull someone’s enthusiasm or initiative. निष्प्रभावी करना; कुंठित करना
Synonyms: Inhibit, Thwart, Hamper, Cripple
Antonyms: Encourage, Stimulate, Aid, Enhance
Example: Excessive paperwork can stultify creativity and slow progress.
Pontificate (verb)
Speak in a pompous, dogmatic way, as if you have unquestionable authority. दंभपूर्वक और उपदेशात्मक ढंग से बोलना
Synonyms: Sermonize, Moralize, Dogmatize, Declaim
Antonyms: Listen, Inquire, Doubt, Defer
Example: He began to pontificate about discipline, ignoring everyone else’s views.
Machiavellian (adjective)
Cunning and deceitful; using manipulation to achieve power or advantage. कुटिल और छलपूर्ण
Synonyms: Cunning, Devious, Manipulative, Scheming
Antonyms: Honest, Sincere, Straightforward, Principled
Example: His Machiavellian tactics helped him rise quickly, but people stopped trusting him.
Quick quiz: 5 questions on these words
Synonyms and antonyms, the way exams ask them. Answers show as you tap.
1. Synonym of Lassitude
2. Antonym of Solecism
3. Synonym of Stultify
4. Antonym of Protracted
5. Synonym of Machiavellian
Want the full 30-question quiz with All India rank? It is in the Vocab24 app.
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