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. knavish (adjective) – दुष्ट, बेईमान
Pronunciation: nei-vish
Meaning: dishonest or having no moral principles
Synonyms: dishonourable, unprincipled, unscrupulous, ignoble, untrustworthy, roguish
Antonyms: honourable, noble, virtuous
Usages: There was something quite knavish in the man's attitude.

2. shield (noun, verb) – कवच, रक्षा करना
Pronunciation: sheeld
Meaning: a person or thing providing protection; protect from a danger, risk, or unpleasant experience
Synonyms: protection, guard, defense, cover, screen; protect, cover, screen, shade
Antonyms: expose, endanger
Usages:

• This car polish is an effective shield against rust. (noun)
• He pulled the cap lower to shield his eyes from the glare. (verb)

3. juggle (verb) – हथकंडा करना
Pronunciation: jug(u)l
Meaning: organize (information or figures) in order to give a particular impression
Synonyms: alter, manipulate
Usages: The average first-time buyer spends many hours juggling figures as they try to budget for their first home.

4. niggle (verb, noun) – झुंझलाहट पैदा करना
Pronunciation: ni-g(u)l
Meaning: cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety; criticize or annoy (someone) in a petty way; a trivial criticism, discomfort, or annoyance
Synonyms: irritate, annoy, worry, trouble, bother, provoke; complain, object, moan, fuss, nag; quibble, grumble, grouse
Usages:

• I don't react anymore when opponents try to niggle me. (verb)
• Numerous other niggles arose from our months together. (noun)

5. creep (verb, noun) – खिसकना, रेंगना
Pronunciation: kreep
Meaning: move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed; a person deserving intense dislike
Synonyms: crawl, inch, edge, slither, slide; rogue, villain, wretch, reprobate
Usage:

• We crept toward the enemy. (verb)
• He was a nasty little creep. (noun)

6. bungle (verb) – गोलमाल, घपला
Pronunciation: bun-g(u)l
Meaning: carry out (a task) clumsily or incompetently
Synonyms: mishandle, mismanage, botch, spoil, mar, ruin
Antonyms: succeed in, manage successfully
Usages: If you bungle a task, you must do it again.

7. expunge (verb) – मिटाना, निष्कासन
Pronunciation: iks-punj / eks-punj
Meaning: remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant)
Synonyms: erase, remove, delete, efface, obliterate
Usages: The experience was something he had tried to expunge from his memory.

8. punctilious (adjective) – सूक्ष्मताप्रिय
Pronunciation: punk-tili-us
Meaning: showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour
Synonyms: meticulous, conscientious, careful, diligent, attentive, scrupulous, painstaking
Antonyms: careless, easy-going, slapdash
Usages: He was always punctilious in his manners.

9. defunct (adjective) – मृत, निर्जीव
Pronunciation: di-funkt
Meaning: no longer existing or functioning
Synonyms: disused, unused, inoperative, unusable, obsolete
Antonyms: working, extant
Usages: Portsmouth is yet another defunct municipal airport.

10. befuddle (verb) – भ्रमित करना, परेशान करना
Pronunciation: bi-fudl
Meaning: cause to become unable to think clearly
Synonyms: confused, muddled, addled, bewildered, disoriented
Antonym: clear
Usages: John looked a little befuddled.

LET’S CHECK HOW MUCH YOU LEARNT:

1. Try to make sentences using given words:

• shield
• niggle
• creep
• befuddle
• punctilious

2. Match the columns:

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

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