UN rights chief calls for end to Sri Lanka ‘impunity’

The Hindu

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.

Kinesthetic (adjective)

Relating to the sense of body movement and physical activity. गतिज अनुभूति संबंधी

Synonyms: Tactile, Physical, Bodily, Motor

Antonyms: Static, Motionless, Immobile, Stationary

Example: Kinesthetic learners understand concepts better through hands-on activities.

Staccato (adjective)

Consisting of short, separate and sharply detached sounds or movements. छोटे और स्पष्ट रूप से अलग-अलग

Synonyms: Abrupt, Detached, Disjointed, Choppy

Antonyms: Smooth, Flowing, Continuous, Legato

Example: She spoke in short, staccato sentences because she was nervous.

Funicular (noun)

A railway system in which cable-operated cars move up and down a steep slope. केबल द्वारा चलने वाली ढलानदार रेलगाड़ी

Synonyms: Cable Railway, Incline Railway, Cable Car, Mountain Railway

Antonyms: Level Railway, Flat Railway, Roadway, Footpath

Example: We took the funicular to reach the hilltop station.

Cravat (noun)

A piece of cloth worn around the neck, especially as a decorative necktie. गले में पहना जाने वाला सजावटी कपड़ा

Synonyms: Necktie, Neckcloth, Ascot, Tie

Antonyms: Open Collar, Bare Neck, Unfastening, Undress

Example: He wore an elegant silk cravat with his formal coat.

Madrigal (noun)

A short lyrical song or poem, traditionally written for several voices. लघु गेय रचना या बहुस्वरीय गीत

Synonyms: Song, Air, Part-song, Lyric

Antonyms: Prose, Speech, Silence, Discord

Example: The choir performed a beautiful Renaissance madrigal.

Galleon (noun)

A large sailing ship formerly used especially by Spain for trade and warfare. प्राचीन काल का बड़ा पालदार जहाज

Synonyms: Sailing Ship, Vessel, Man-of-war, Merchantman

Antonyms: Canoe, Dinghy, Rowboat, Raft

Example: The Spanish galleon carried valuable goods across the Atlantic.

Intercalate (verb)

Insert something between existing things or into a sequence. बीच में सम्मिलित करना

Synonyms: Insert, Interpose, Introduce, Incorporate

Antonyms: Remove, Extract, Omit, Withdraw

Example: The editor decided to intercalate an additional chapter into the manuscript.

Befog (verb)

Make something unclear, confused or difficult to understand. अस्पष्ट या भ्रमित करना

Synonyms: Confuse, Obscure, Bewilder, Cloud

Antonyms: Clarify, Explain, Enlighten, Illuminate

Example: The complicated explanation only served to befog the issue.

Buffet (verb)

Strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially by wind or waves. बार-बार जोर से प्रहार करना

Synonyms: Batter, Pummel, Pound, Assault

Antonyms: Protect, Shield, Shelter, Defend

Example: Powerful waves buffeted the small boat throughout the night.

Emboss (verb)

Carve, mould or stamp a raised design or pattern on a surface. सतह पर उभरा हुआ डिजाइन बनाना

Synonyms: Engrave, Stamp, Imprint, Ornament

Antonyms: Flatten, Smooth, Erase, Efface

Example: The craftsman embossed a floral pattern on the leather cover.

Postprandial (adjective)

Occurring or done after a meal. भोजन के बाद होने वाला

Synonyms: After-meal, Post-meal, After-dinner, Post-feeding

Antonyms: Preprandial, Before-meal, Fasting, Anteprandial

Example: A short postprandial walk can aid digestion.

Indurate (verb)

To make or become physically hard or emotionally hardened. कठोर करना या कठोर हो जाना

Synonyms: Harden, Solidify, Toughen, Callous

Antonyms: Soften, Tenderize, Weaken, Melt

Example: Years of hardship had indurated his attitude toward suffering.

Upholster (verb)

To cover furniture with padding, fabric, leather, or similar material. फर्नीचर पर गद्दी और कपड़ा चढ़ाना

Synonyms: Pad, Cushion, Cover, Furnish

Antonyms: Strip, Uncover, Expose, Unpad

Example: They decided to upholster the old sofa with new fabric.

Wherewithal (noun)

The money, means, or resources needed for a particular purpose. आवश्यक धन या साधन

Synonyms: Resources, Means, Funds, Money

Antonyms: Poverty, Need, Lack, Destitution

Example: She had the talent but lacked the financial wherewithal to start her own business.

Valise (noun)

A small suitcase or travelling bag. छोटा यात्रा-संदूक या बैग

Synonyms: Suitcase, Bag, Luggage, Portmanteau

Antonyms: Unpacking, Emptiness, Unburdening, Baggage-free

Example: He packed his clothes into a small valise before leaving for the station.

Serrated (adjective)

Having a jagged or saw-like edge with sharp projections. आरी जैसे दाँतेदार किनारे वाला

Synonyms: Jagged, Toothed, Saw-edged, Notched

Antonyms: Smooth, Even, Straight-edged, Unbroken

Example: The serrated knife easily sliced through the crusty bread.

Catatonic (adjective)

In a state of physical and mental unresponsiveness or extreme immobility. शारीरिक और मानसिक प्रतिक्रिया से रहित या अत्यंत जड़ अवस्था में

Synonyms: Unresponsive, Motionless, Immobile, Stuporous

Antonyms: Responsive, Alert, Active, Animated

Example: He remained almost catatonic after hearing the shocking news.

Vaudeville (verb)

A form of theatrical entertainment featuring a variety of short acts such as comedy, music, dance, and acrobatics. हास्य, संगीत, नृत्य और करतबों से युक्त विविध मनोरंजन कार्यक्रम

Synonyms: Variety-show, Revue, Cabaret, Entertainment

Antonyms: Tragedy, Solemnity, Seriousness, Formality

Example: Vaudeville attracted large audiences with its mixture of comedy, music, and dance.

Frieze (noun)

A decorative horizontal band, especially on the upper part of a wall or building. दीवार या भवन के पर ऊपरी भाग बनी सजावटी क्षैतिज पट्टी

Synonyms: Band, Border, Ornamentation, Decoration

Antonyms: Plainness, Bareness, Simplicity, Blankness

Example: The ancient temple had a beautifully carved frieze depicting warriors.

Cornice (noun)

A decorative horizontal projection at the top of a wall, building, or piece of furniture. दीवार, भवन या फर्नीचर के शीर्ष पर बनी सजावटी उभरी हुई पट्टी

Synonyms: Molding, Ledge, Projection, Crown

Antonyms: Recess, Depression, Indentation, Hollow

Example: The ornate cornice added elegance to the top of the building.

The editorial

Source: The Hindu · 7 Sep 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 Buffet

2. Antonym of Funicular

3. Synonym of Indurate

4. Antonym of Befog

5. Synonym of Frieze

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