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Today’s word - variegated

Word of the day

Today’s word - variegated
26,Aug,2026

The editorial

Source: Word of the day · 26 Aug 2026

Something variegated has many different colors, as in the trees of autumn or the feathers of a peacock. Whenever you see "vari" at the beginning of a word, you know that the idea of difference or change is involved.

Using vari is a good way to start thinking about this word. It's the same root as in various, variable, varied, and variety. All these words mean something similar: lots of different versions of something. The scales of a fish can appear quite variegated from one angle and then strangely uniform from another. A tiger's variegated coat helps it stay hidden.

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20 words from this day's editorials with Hindi meaning

The important words of this editorial with Hindi meaning, synonyms, antonyms and an example. Tap a word for its dictionary page.

Dredge (verb)

Clear or deepen a river, harbour, or other area of water by removing mud, sand, or other material from the bottom. तलछट निकालकर गहरा या साफ़ करना

Synonyms: Excavate, Scoop, Dig, Clear

Antonyms: Fill, Deposit, Bury, Clog

Example: Workers dredged the harbour to make it deep enough for large ships.

Ringfence (verb)

Protect or reserve money, assets, or resources for a particular purpose. किसी विशेष उद्देश्य के लिए सुरक्षित रखना

Synonyms: Protect, Reserve, Safeguard, Isolate

Antonyms: Expose, Release, Integrate, Disperse

Example: The government decided to ringfence funds for rural healthcare.

Hustings (noun)

The activities, meetings, and speeches connected with an election campaign. चुनाव प्रचार से संबंधित सभाएँ और गतिविधियाँ

Synonyms: Campaigning, Canvassing, Electioneering, Campaign

Antonyms: Abstention, Withdrawal, Disengagement, Inactivity

Example: The candidates debated several economic issues on the hustings.

Subprime (adjective)

Relating to loans given to borrowers who have a relatively high risk of being unable to repay them. कम साख वाले उधारकर्ताओं को दिए गए ऋणों से संबंधित

Synonyms: High-risk, Nonprime, Risky, Below-prime

Antonyms: Prime, Creditworthy, Low-risk, Secure

Example: The financial institution suffered heavy losses from subprime mortgages.

Caldera (noun)

A large volcanic crater formed when the top of a volcano collapses after a major eruption. ज्वालामुखी विस्फोट के बाद उसके शीर्ष के धँसने से बना विशाल ज्वालामुखीय गर्त

Synonyms: Crater, Depression, Basin, Hollow

Antonyms: Peak, Summit, Crest, Elevation

Example: A large lake eventually formed inside the ancient volcanic caldera.

Greenfield (adjective)

Relating to a new project or development built on previously undeveloped land or started without using an existing facility. अविकसित भूमि पर स्थापित या बिल्कुल नए सिरे से शुरू की गई परियोजना से संबंधित

Synonyms: New, Undeveloped, Unbuilt, Fresh

Antonyms: Brownfield, Developed, Existing, Established

Example: The company announced a greenfield manufacturing project in the region.

Diametric (adjective)

Completely opposed or contrary to something else. पूर्णतः विपरीत

Synonyms: Opposite, Contrary, Antithetical, Contradictory

Antonyms: Similar, Compatible, Identical, Convergent

Example: Their views on economic policy were diametric opposites.

Bylaw (noun)

A rule or regulation made by a local authority or an organization for governing its affairs. स्थानीय प्राधिकरण या संस्था द्वारा बनाया गया नियम या विनियम

Synonyms: Regulation, Ordinance, Rule, Provision

Antonyms: Exemption, Exception, Permission, Dispensation

Example: The municipal bylaw prohibits parking on this road after midnight.

Redline (verb)

Refuse or restrict loans, insurance, or other services to people in particular areas, especially in a discriminatory manner. विशेष क्षेत्रों के लोगों को भेदभावपूर्ण ढंग से ऋण, बीमा या अन्य सेवाएँ देने से इनकार या प्रतिबंधित करना

Synonyms: Discriminate, Restrict, Exclude, Deny

Antonyms: Include, Approve, Provide, Permit

Example: Banks were accused of redlining neighbourhoods inhabited by minority communities.

Mottled (adjective)

Marked with spots, patches, or areas of different colours or shades. विभिन्न रंगों या छायाओं के धब्बों से युक्त

Synonyms: Speckled, Spotted, Blotchy, Dappled

Antonyms: Uniform, Plain, Unspotted, Monochromatic

Example: The bird had mottled brown and white feathers that helped it blend into its surroundings.

Ornery (adjective)

Bad-tempered, stubborn, and difficult to deal with. चिड़चिड़ा और हठी

Synonyms: Cantankerous, Irritable, Cranky, Obstinate

Antonyms: Amiable, Agreeable, Pleasant, Easygoing

Example: The ornery old man refused to cooperate with his neighbours.

Epicenter (noun)

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the origin of an earthquake; also, the central point of an activity or event. भूकंप के उद्गम के ठीक ऊपर पृथ्वी की सतह पर स्थित केंद्र; किसी गतिविधि का मुख्य केंद्र

Synonyms: Center, Hub, Focal Point, Heart

Antonyms: Periphery, Outskirts, Margin, Fringe

Example: The city was located close to the epicenter of the powerful earthquake.

Mothball (verb)

To stop using or developing something while keeping it available for possible future use. अस्थायी रूप से उपयोग बंद करके सुरक्षित रखना

Synonyms: Suspend, Shelve, Deactivate, Preserve

Antonyms: Activate, Resume, Operate, Revive

Example: The company decided to mothball the project until market conditions improved.

Bonanza (noun)

A situation that creates a sudden and large amount of wealth, success, or advantage. अचानक प्राप्त होने वाला बड़ा लाभ या समृद्धि

Synonyms: Windfall, Jackpot, Prosperity, Boom

Antonyms: Misfortune, Loss, Disaster, Setback

Example: The discovery of oil proved to be a bonanza for the region.

Sandbag (verb)

To deliberately deceive, obstruct, or put someone at a disadvantage, especially by concealing one's true strength or intentions. जानबूझकर धोखा देना या किसी को नुकसान की स्थिति में डालना

Synonyms: Deceive, Ambush, Obstruct, Mislead

Antonyms: Assist, Support, Facilitate, Help

Example: The player sandbagged his opponents by pretending to be less skilled than he actually was.

Flinty (adjective)

Hard, stern, and showing little emotion or sympathy. कठोर और भावनाहीन

Synonyms: Stern, Unyielding, Harsh, Unfeeling

Antonyms: Compassionate, Tender, Gentle, Sympathetic

Example: The officer maintained a flinty expression throughout the interrogation.

Grandstand (verb)

To behave in an exaggerated or showy manner in order to attract attention or impress others. ध्यान आकर्षित करने के लिए दिखावटी व्यवहार करना

Synonyms: Showboat, Flaunt, Perform, Posture

Antonyms: Understate, Conceal, Downplay, Restrain

Example: The politician used the debate to grandstand before the television audience.

Exclave (noun)

A part of a country or territory that is geographically separated from its main part by surrounding foreign territory. किसी देश या क्षेत्र का मुख्य भाग से अलग स्थित भूभाग

Synonyms: Detached Territory, Separated Territory, Outlying Territory, Territorial Fragment

Antonyms: Mainland, Core Territory, Contiguous Territory, Heartland

Example: Alaska is geographically separated from the contiguous United States, making it an exclave of the country.

Muckraker (noun)

A person, especially a journalist, who investigates and exposes corruption, misconduct, or scandals. भ्रष्टाचार, कदाचार या घोटालों का पर्दाफाश करने वाला व्यक्ति

Synonyms: Investigator, Exposer, Watchdog, Crusader

Antonyms: Concealer, Apologist, Defender, Collaborator

Example: The muckraker exposed widespread corruption among senior officials.

Stipple (verb)

To produce a pattern or image by making numerous small dots or specks. छोटे-छोटे बिंदुओं से चित्र या आकृति बनाना

Synonyms: Dot, Speckle, Dapple, Spot

Antonyms: Smooth, Clear, Erase, Unmark

Example: The artist stippled the surface with hundreds of tiny dots to create shading.

Quick quiz: 5 questions on these words

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

1. Synonym of Bonanza

2. Antonym of Epicenter

3. Synonym of Muckraker

4. Antonym of Redline

5. Synonym of Ornery

Want the full 30-question quiz with All India rank? It is in the Vocab24 app.

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