Daily Vocabulary – 20 January 2026

Synonyms: Favoritism, Cronyism, Partiality, Patronage

Antonyms: Meritocracy, Fairness, Impartiality, Objectivity

Example: Nepotism in appointments reduced trust in the institution’s credibility.

Trick: Nepotism = “nephew ko post dena—talent nahi, rishtedari se selection.

Synonyms: Favoritism, Nepotism, Patronage, Partiality

Antonyms: Meritocracy, Fairness, Impartiality, Objectivity

Example: Cronyism in government contracts can weaken public trust and increase corruption risks.

Trick: Cronyism = “crony = close friend → doston ko setting dekar benefits dena, merit ko side karna.

Synonyms: Bias, Partiality, Factionalism, One-sidedness

Antonyms: Neutrality, Impartiality, Objectivity, Nonpartisanship

Example: Excessive partisanship can prevent constructive debate and policy compromise.

Trick: Partisanship = party ke “part me chipak jana—har baat me apni side ko hi sahi bolna.

Synonyms: Colonialism, Expansionism, Domination, Hegemony

Antonyms: Self-determination, Independence, Decolonization, Sovereignty

Example: Imperialism led many regions to lose political freedom and face economic exploitation.

Trick: Imperialism = empire banana mindset—dusre deshon par control karke power aur profit badhana.

Synonyms: Expert, Aficionado, Critic, Authority

Antonyms: Amateur, Novice, Ignoramus, Philistine

Example: As a connoisseur of art, she could spot a fake painting instantly.

Trick: Connoisseur sounds like know-no-sir — jisne sab cheez ka deep knowledge ho, wahi connoisseur hota hai.

Synonyms: Understandable, Clear, Comprehensible, Lucid

Antonyms: Unclear, Confusing, Incomprehensible, Unintelligible

Example: The teacher explained the concept in a simple and intelligible way.

Trick: Intelligible = intelligence wali cheez jo easily samajh aa jaye, yani clear and understandable.

Synonyms: Pretence, Deceit, Insincerity, Duplicity

Antonyms: Honesty, Sincerity, Integrity, Frankness

Example: His hypocrisy was obvious when he criticized others for lying while lying himself.

Trick: Hypocrisy = high morals dikhana but andar se opposite karna — bolna kuch, karna kuch.

Synonyms: Existing, Surviving, Remaining, Still in existence

Antonyms: Extinct, Destroyed, Lost, Vanished

Example: Only a few extant manuscripts of the ancient text are available today.

Trick: Extant = exist-ant — jo abhi bhi exist karta ho, wahi extant.

Synonyms: Lament, Bewail, Grieve, Mourn

Antonyms: Celebrate, Rejoice, Praise, Applaud

Example: She bemoaned the loss of her old photographs after the flood.

Trick: Bemoan = be + moan — jab dukh me moan karo, complain/cry about something.

Synonyms: Average, Ordinary, So-so, Unremarkable

Antonyms: Excellent, Outstanding, Superb, Exceptional

Example: The movie had a mediocre storyline but great visuals.

Trick: Mediocre = medium-ok — na bahut badhiya, na bahut kharab, bas average.

Synonyms: Mandatory, Compulsory, Required, Essential

Antonyms: Optional, Voluntary, Discretionary, Unnecessary

Example: Wearing a helmet is obligatory while riding a two-wheeler in many places.

Trick: Obligatory = obligation wali cheez — jo karna hi pade, choice nahi hoti.

Synonyms: Sustain, Bear, Invite, Attract

Antonyms: Avoid, Prevent, Evade, Escape

Example: If you miss the deadline, you may incur a penalty.

Trick: Incur = in + cur — galti karo aur penalty in aa jaye, matlab you incur a loss/penalty.

Synonyms: Ignorant, Unenlightened, Uneducated, Backward

Antonyms: Enlightened, Informed, Educated, Sophisticated

Example: The speech exposed his benighted views on science and modern society.

Trick: Benighted = be-night-ed — night means darkness; mind me darkness ho to knowledge kam, yani ignorant/benighted.

Synonyms: Obstacle, Hindrance, Barrier, Deterrent

Antonyms: Aid, Help, Advantage, Facilitation

Example: Poor internet connectivity is a major impediment to online learning in remote areas.

Trick: Impediment = impede karne wali cheez — jo kaam ko rok de, speed kam kar de.