Words in News | 30 June 2020

Eazyprep brings to you ‘Words in News’, an easy and interesting way to find new important vocab for your exam and discover their meanings while also going through current affairs articles at the same time!

Today’s article is ‘China has changed tactics, not goals. India must demonstrate strong national power.’

Important words and idioms from the article

TACTICS

WORD: Tactics

Pronunciation : tak-tuhks  

Part of Speech: noun

Meaning: a carefully crafted strategy to meet a goal

Synonyms: strategy, device, plan, ploy

Antonyms: none

Usage: He did not give up after his failure, he changed his tactics and worked hard.

Forms : tactful (adjective), tactfully (adverb)

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INCURSION

Pronunciation : in-kuh-zhuhn

 Part of Speech: noun

Meaning: a sudden attack that lasts for a brief period 

Synonyms:aggression, attack, foray, intrusion

Antonyms: retreat

Usage: There was a foreign incursion at the Indo-China border.

Forms: incursive (adjective)

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BARB

Pronunciation : baab

Part of Speech: noun

Meaning: the sharp end of a tool or weapon that is angled away from the body so as to make its extraction difficult

Synonyms: shaft, spike, spur

Antonyms: blunt

Usage: The borders between countries are guarded by barbed wires. . 

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COMPREHEND

Pronunciation: ruh-ta-lee-ei-shn

Part of Speech: noun

Meaning: a) an act of counter attacking, especially a military attack

b) to hurt or harm someone who has done the same to that person before

Synonyms: counter-attack, revenge, retribution, reprisal

Antonyms: forgiveness, pardon, sympathy

Usage: There was a mass retaliation in office against the policy of salary decrement

Forms: Retaliate (verb).

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VALIANT

Pronunciation: vaa-lee-uhnt

Part of Speech: noun

Meaning: a person showing great determination or courage

Synonyms: courageous, fearless, gallant, stout

Antonyms: timid, cowardly, weak

Usage: Shivaji was a valiant warrior in the battlefield

Forms: valiantly (adverb)

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AGGRESSION

Pronunciation: uh-greh-shn

Part of Speech: verb

Meaning: a) a readiness to attack angrily

b) attacking without provocation

c) forcefulness

Synonyms: hostility, antagonism, assault

Antonyms: meekness

Usage: The politicians act of aggression tore a massive rage in the public.

Forms: aggressive(adjective), aggressiveness (noun)

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SUBDUE

Pronunciation: suhb-dyoo

Part of Speech: verb

Meaning: to bring under control by force

Synonyms: suppress, crush, overpower, repress

Antonyms: release surrender, aid

Usage: Even the scorching sun couldn’t subdue our spirit, we kept our hike going.

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NIBBLE

Pronunciation: ni-bl

Part of Speech: verb, noun

Meaning: a) eating in small bites (verb)

b) showing interest in a potential property (verb)

c) the act of nibbling (noun)

Synonyms: gnaw, nip, munch, peck

Antonyms: gorge

Usage: He was eating in nibbles, he lost his appetite due to his illness

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ENCROACH

Pronunciation: uhn·krowch

Part of Speech: verb

Meaning: intrude in someone else’s territory

Synonyms: impinge, infringe, trespass 

Antonyms: keep off

Usage: A group of robbers encroached upon us as we were walking last night.

Forms: encroachment(noun)

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TRANQUILITY

Pronunciation: trang·kvil·uh·tee

Part of Speech: noun

Meaning: a state of complete calm

Synonyms: peacefulness, serenity, quietude

Antonyms: agitation, chaos, disturbance

Usage: The return of tranquility after so many hardships is a blessing.

Forms:  tranquil(adjective), tranquilizer (noun)

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Practice Questions

Q1) If the words ‘aggression’ and ‘hostility’ make a perfect pair, select the correct pair from the following set of words:

1. Subdue-Support
2. Valiant-Gallant
3. Tactics-Tips
4. Nibble-Nimble

Q2) Create sentences of your own with the following words:

1. Encroach
2. Barb
3. Retaliation
4. iIncursion
5. Tranquility

Tell us your answers in the comments below.