Vocabulary - Exceptional English words with meanings : 01 October 2019

Some exceptional words of English vocabulary from the newspaper ‘The Hindu’ are listed here. Go through these words and read their usages to learn how to use them in sentences. This will really help you boost up your learning.
 

Happy Learning!

1. swindle (verb, noun) - ठगना
Pronunciation: swin-d(u)l
Meaning: use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions; obtain money by deceiving someone
Synonyms: cheat, trick, fleece, dupe, deceive, exploit
Usage:

• They swindled hundreds of dollars out of him. (verb)
• I don't want to get involved in a swindle. (noun)

2. weakling (noun) - दुर्बल प्राणी
Pronunciation: week-ling
Meaning: a person or animal that is physically weak and frail; an ineffectual or cowardly person
Synonyms: milksop, namby-pamby, coward, wimp
Antonyms: strongman, hero
Usage: We spend money and effort in rearing every weakling.

3. sordid (adjective) - गन्दा, घिनौना
Pronunciation: so-did
Meaning: involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect
Synonyms: sleazy, seedy, seamy, unsavoury, shoddy, vile, foul, tawdry; dirty, filthy, mucky, grimy, muddy, grubby, shabby
Antonyms: high-minded, respectable; immaculate
Usage: The story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams.

4. venom (noun) - विष, द्वेष
Pronunciation: venum
Meaning: a poisonous substance secreted by animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions and typically injected into prey or aggressors by biting or stinging; extreme malice and bitterness shown in someone's attitudes, speech, or actions
Synonyms: poison, toxin, bane, toxicant; rancor, malevolence, vitriol, spite, malignancy, viciousness, nastiness
Antonyms: love, goodwill
Usage: His voice was full of venom.

5. rile (verb) - चिढ़ाना, उत्तेजित करना
Pronunciation: ra-il
Meaning: make (someone) annoyed or irritated
Synonyms: irritate, annoy, bother, vex, provoke, affront, anger, exasperate, infuriate
Antonyms: conciliate, soothe
Usage: Nothing can rile up a mother bear more than messing with her cub.

6. cultivate (verb) - विकसित करना, उपजाना, जोतना
Pronunciation: kulti-veit
Meaning: prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening; break up (soil) in preparation for sowing or planting; try to acquire or develop (a quality or skill); try to win the friendship or favour of (someone); try to improve or develop (one's mind)
Synonyms: till, plough, dig, turn, hoe, farm; grow, raise, rear; pursue, court, foster; woo; improve, better, refine, elevate, polish, educate, train
Antonym: ignore
Usage:

• Rice is cultivated in several parts of the world.
• We should cultivate our minds by reading good books.

7. intrusive (adjective) – हस्तक्षेप करने वाला
Pronunciation: in-troo-siv
Meaning: causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcome or uninvited
Synonyms: intruding, invasive, obtrusive, interrupting, trespassing, unwanted, unwelcome
Antonym: low-key
Usage: That was an intrusive question.

8. erstwhile (adjective) - भूतपूर्व
Pronunciation: erst-va-il
Meaning: former
Synonyms: former, old, past, ex-
Antonyms: present, future
Usage: Mr. Phillip is the erstwhile president of the company.

9. overawe (verb) - आतंकित करना, रोब जमाना
Pronunciation: over-o
Meaning: impress (someone) so much that they are silent or inhibited
Synonyms: intimidate, daunt, awe
Usage: I was overawed by his great knowledge.

10. counsel (verb) - परामर्श देना
Pronunciation: kaun-s(u)l
Meaning: give advice to (someone); give professional help and advice to (someone) to resolve personal or psychological problems; recommend (a course of action)
Synonyms: advise, guide, direct, recommend, encourage, entreat
Usage: Listen to the counsel of your elders.

LET’S CHECK HOW MUCH YOU HAVE LEARNT:

1. Match the columns:
 

2. Try to make sentences using given words:

• counsel
• cultivate
• sordid
• weakling
• swindle

# Let others know your answers by sharing them in comment section.