Daily Vocabulary – 20 February 2026

Synonyms: Substitute, Proxy, Stand-in, Replacement

Antonyms: Original, Primary, Natural, Genuine

Example: A surrogate was appointed to sign the documents on his behalf.

Trick: Surrogate = substitute on duty — jab original available na ho, koi aur sure-shot replacement ban kar kaam kare, wahi surrogate.

Synonyms: Coordinated, Joint, United, Collaborative

Antonyms: Uncoordinated, Random, Disorganized, Isolated

Example: The departments made a concerted effort to reduce delays and improve service.

Trick: Concerted = concert jaisa — sab log ek rhythm me milkar perform karte hain; waise hi coordinated effort is concerted.

Synonyms: Verify, Confirm, Certify, Authenticate

Antonyms: Deny, Refute, Disprove, Contradict

Example: The officer will attest the document after checking the original records.

Trick: Attest = at test — jab kisi cheez ko test karke true bol do ya signature karke confirm kar do, you attest it.

Synonyms: Propose, Suggest, Advance, Put forward

Antonyms: Withhold, Conceal, Suppress, Retract

Example: The scientist propounded a new theory to explain the unexpected results.

Trick: Propound = pro + pound — apni baat ko strongly table par pound karke aage rakhna, yani idea ko put forward karna.

Synonyms: Demeanor, Manner, Bearing, Countenance

Antonyms: Reality, Essence, Character, Nature

Example: His calm mien reassured everyone during the crisis.

Trick: Mien sounds like mean — kisi ka face/manner dekhkar lagta hai banda kaisa mean/calm type hai; wohi overall look and vibe is mien.

Synonyms: Unskilled, Clumsy, Naive, Plain

Antonyms: Skillful, Artful, Sophisticated, Polished

Example: His artless speech felt honest and direct, without any attempt to impress.

Trick: Artless = without art/skill, like a beginner’s plain work that looks simple and not polished.

Synonyms: Genial, Affectionate, Fatherly, Benevolent

Antonyms: Stern, Harsh, Unfriendly, Cold

Example: The avuncular teacher guided his students patiently and encouraged them like family.

Trick: Avuncular = uncle jaisa vibe—friendly advice, caring tone, and protective nature.

Synonyms: Banter, Raillery, Repartee, Pleasantry

Antonyms: Seriousness, Solemnity, Gravity, Earnestness

Example: Their conversation was full of friendly badinage during the break.

Trick: Badinage = badi friendly talk + nage like nudging

Synonyms: Irascible, Irritable, Hot-tempered, Testy

Antonyms: Calm, Patient, Even-tempered, Mild

Example: The choleric manager snapped at the staff over a minor mistake.

Trick: Choleric sounds like chol (gussa) + re (arre!)—arre bhai, chhoti si baat par gussa aa jaye, that’s choleric.

Synonyms: Pamper, Coddle, Spoil, Indulge

Antonyms: Neglect, Ignore, Mistreat, Deprive

Example: She tried not to cosset the child and encouraged him to become independent.

Trick: Cosset = cozy set bana dena—kisiko itna comfort de dena ki woh pampered feel kare.

Synonyms: Expel, Banish, Cast out, Purge

Antonyms: Invite, Welcome, Summon, Retain

Example: He tried to exorcise the fear from his mind by facing the situation directly.

Trick: Exorcise = exit kar do negative spirit/thoughts ko—dimaag se bhi aur body se bhi.

Synonyms: Morning, Early, Dawn, Auroral

Antonyms: Nocturnal, Vespertine, Evening, Nightly

Example: Her matutinal routine includes a short run and a quiet cup of tea.

Trick: Matutinal sounds like morning mat uthna reminder—early morning wali cheez, matlab morning-time.

Synonyms: Resonant, Deep-toned, Full-bodied, Melodious

Antonyms: Harsh, Shrill, Thin, Muffled

Example: The actor’s sonorous voice filled the hall and held everyone’s attention.

Trick: Sonorous = sound + roar jaisa—deep, powerful awaaz jo dur tak goonjti rahe.

Synonyms: Hairy, Shaggy, Furry, Bearded

Antonyms: Hairless, Bald, Smooth, Glabrous

Example: The hirsute traveler looked rugged with his thick beard and untrimmed hair.

Trick: Hirsute sounds like hair suit — as if someone is wearing a suit made of hair, meaning very hairy.

Synonyms: Loan-sharking, Extortionate lending, Predatory lending, Exploitation

Antonyms: Charity, Generosity, Fair lending, Benevolence

Example: The law was introduced to curb usury and protect poor borrowers from exploitation.

Trick: Usury = you-sorry interest—itna high interest ki borrower bole, bhai, you sorry!