📰 The Hindu Editorial • 2026-08-01

The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary Today (1 Aug 2026): Force of law

📌 Competitive Exam Prep (UPSC, Banking, SSC, CLAT): आज के एडिटोरियल से चुने गए मुख्य Tricky Words, उनके Hindi Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms, याद रखने की धांसू Tricks और Idioms & Phrases (मुहावरे) का संग्रह।

Grave

(adjective)

🗣️ grehv (ग्रेव)

English Definition

Serious, solemn, or giving cause for alarm.

हिंदी अर्थ

गंभीर, चिंताजनक

📝 Editorial Context: "The extent and the nature of police action... remain a matter of grave concern for India’s democracy."

✓ Synonyms: Solemn, Critical, Severe, Sombre

✗ Antonyms: Trivial, Frivolous, Cheerful

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Grave (कब्र) हमेशा गंभीर और शांत माहौल से जुड़ी होती है, इसलिए 'grave concern' मतलब बहुत ही गंभीर चिंता।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'gravis' meaning heavy or weighty.

Restrain

(verb)

🗣️ ri-STREYN (रि-स्ट्रेन)

English Definition

To prevent someone or something from doing something; keep under control.

हिंदी अर्थ

नियंत्रित करना, रोकना, अंकुश लगाना

📝 Editorial Context: "...but it has done little so far to restrain the police, which appears to be acting outside of the law."

✓ Synonyms: Curb, Constrain, Restrict, Check

✗ Antonyms: Release, Permit, Encourage

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Restrain sounds like 'Train chains'. जैसे चैन खींचकर ट्रेन को रोका जाता है, वैसे ही Restrain का मतलब रोकना या नियंत्रण में रखना होता है।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'restringere' (re- back + stringere- to draw tight).

Accountable

(adjective)

🗣️ uh-KOUN-tuh-buhl (अ-काउन-ट-बल)

English Definition

Required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible.

हिंदी अर्थ

जवाबदेह, उत्तरदायी

📝 Editorial Context: "But an accountable police force would have swiftly acted to preserve its own honour and reputation..."

✓ Synonyms: Responsible, Answerable, Liable

✗ Antonyms: Irresponsible, Unaccountable, Exempt

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Account (खाता/हिसाब) रखने योग्य = जिसे अपने काम का पूरा हिसाब (account) देना पड़े, वह Accountable है।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Anglo-Norman French 'acontable', from 'aconter' (to count).

Dubious

(adjective)

🗣️ DOO-bee-uhs (डू-बी-अस)

English Definition

Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon; suspect.

हिंदी अर्थ

संदेहास्पद, संदिग्ध, अनिश्चित

📝 Editorial Context: "...using facial-recognition and other surveillance technologies, the legality of which remains dubious and controversial."

✓ Synonyms: Suspicious, Doubtful, Questionable, Skeptical

✗ Antonyms: Certain, Trustworthy, Definite

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Dubious sounds like 'Doubt-ious' (डबल माइंडेड या डाउट से भरा)।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'dubius' meaning doubtful (from 'duo' meaning two).

Adherence

(noun)

🗣️ ad-HEER-uhns (अड-हीयर-अन्स)

English Definition

Attachment or commitment to a person, cause, belief, or rule.

हिंदी अर्थ

अनुपालन, दृढ़ निष्ठा, समर्थन

📝 Editorial Context: "All it needs is professionalism and a strict adherence to the principle of the rule of law."

✓ Synonyms: Compliance, Conformity, Attachment, Loyalty

✗ Antonyms: Violation, Non-compliance, Disobedience

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Adhesive (गोंद) जैसे चिपक जाता है, वैसे ही Adherence का मतलब किसी नियम या सिद्धांत से दृढ़ता से चिपके (जुड़े) रहना है।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'adhaerere' (ad- to + haerere- to stick).

Sweep

(noun)

🗣️ sweep (स्वीप)

English Definition

A wide-ranging search, investigation, or campaign; a systematic action over an area.

हिंदी अर्थ

व्यापक अभियान, बड़ा बदलाव/कार्रवाई

📝 Editorial Context: "There is also a simultaneous law-enforcement sweep against freedom of expression..."

✓ Synonyms: Campaign, Crusade, Cleanup, Scour

✗ Antonyms: Inaction, Stagnation

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Sweep मतलब झाड़ू लगाना। जब झाड़ू पूरे कमरे की सफाई करती है, वैसे ही 'law-enforcement sweep' पूरे इलाके या व्यवस्था में की जाने वाली बड़ी कार्रवाई है।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Middle English 'swepen'.

Warrants

(verb)

🗣️ WAWR-uhnts (वारंट्स)

English Definition

Justify or necessitate (a certain course of action).

हिंदी अर्थ

उचित ठहराना, आवश्यक बनाना

📝 Editorial Context: "If any of that warrants police action, the applicable law should be clearly cited..."

✓ Synonyms: Justifies, Deserves, Merits, Sanctions

✗ Antonyms: Disallows, Opposes, Prohibits

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

पुलिस किसी को पकड़ने के लिए 'Warrant' तब लाती है जब उसके पास ठोस आधार (Justification) हो, अतः warrant (verb) का अर्थ है उचित ठहराना।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Old French 'warantir' (to guarantee/protect).

Arbitrary

(adjective)

🗣️ AHR-bi-trer-ee (आर-बि-ट्रे-री)

English Definition

Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason, system, or law.

हिंदी अर्थ

मनमाना, एकतरफा, विवेकहीन

📝 Editorial Context: "Instead, there are reports of arbitrary police action that appears intended more as intimidation..."

✓ Synonyms: Capricious, Random, Erratic, Despotic

✗ Antonyms: Rational, Reasonable, Systematic, Consistent

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Arbitrator (पंच) जो बिना किसी नियम के बस अपनी 'मर्जी' चलाए, वह फैसला 'arbitrary' (मनमाना) होगा।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'arbitrarius' meaning depending on the judgment of an arbiter.

Intimidation

(noun)

🗣️ in-tim-i-DEY-shuhn (इन-टिम-इ-डे-शन)

English Definition

The action of frightening or threatening someone, usually in order to make them do what one wants.

हिंदी अर्थ

धमकी, भय दिखाना, डराना

📝 Editorial Context: "...there are reports of arbitrary police action that appears intended more as intimidation than law enforcement..."

✓ Synonyms: Coercion, Bullying, Menace, Terrorization

✗ Antonyms: Encouragement, Reassurance, Persuasion

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

In-TIMID-ation में 'Timid' (डरपोक) शब्द है। किसी को 'timid' (डरपोक) बना देना ही Intimidation (डराना-धमकाना) है।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'intimidare' (in- into + timidus- fearful).

Infiltrated

(verb)

🗣️ IN-fil-treyt-id (इन-फिल-ट्रेट-इड)

English Definition

Gained access to (an organization, place, or group) surreptitiously and gradually, especially to acquire secret information or cause disruption.

हिंदी अर्थ

घुसपैठ करना, चुपके से प्रवेश करना

📝 Editorial Context: "The Delhi police has maintained that criminals infiltrated the protests."

✓ Synonyms: Penetrated, Invaded, Sneaked into, Permeated

✗ Antonyms: Exited, Withdrew, Evacuated

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Filter (छलनी) से जैसे पानी धीरे-धीरे अंदर रिसता है, वैसे ही 'Infiltrate' मतलब चुपके से अंदर घुस जाना।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Latin 'in-' (into) + 'filtrum' (felt used for strainers).

Underscore

(verb)

🗣️ uhn-der-SKAWR (अन-डर-स्कोर)

English Definition

To emphasize, highlight, or stress the importance of something.

हिंदी अर्थ

महत्व रेखांकित करना, जोर देना

📝 Editorial Context: "This is an occasion for both the Centre and the Court to underscore a basic constitutional principle..."

✓ Synonyms: Emphasize, Highlight, Stress, Underline

✗ Antonyms: Understate, Ignore, Downplay

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

किसी शब्द के नीचे 'under' एक 'score' (लाइन) खींच देने से वह महत्वपूर्ण दिखने लगता है, यानी underscore = emphasize करना।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From 'under' + 'score' (to mark with a line).

Entrench

(verb)

🗣️ en-TRENCH (एन-ट्रेंच)

English Definition

Establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.

हिंदी अर्थ

जब सैनिक Trench (खाई) खोदकर उसमें पक्के तौर पर बैठ जाते हैं, तो उन्हें हटाना मुश्किल होता है। उसी प्रकार किसी भावना को 'entrench' करने का अर्थ है उसे पक्का कर देना।

📝 Editorial Context: "That would only entrench cynicism and deepen resentment among the youth..."

✓ Synonyms: Root, Embed, Ingrain, Establish

✗ Antonyms: Eradicate, Uproot, Dislodge

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From French 'en-' (in) + 'trenche' (ditch/trench).

Cynicism

(noun)

🗣️ SIN-uh-siz-uhm (सिन-अ-सिज़-अम)

English Definition

An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism or distrust of human sincerity.

हिंदी अर्थ

कुटिलता, निराशावाद, अविश्वास की भावना

📝 Editorial Context: "That would only entrench cynicism and deepen resentment among the youth..."

✓ Synonyms: Skepticism, Distrust, Pessimism, Sarcasm

✗ Antonyms: Optimism, Trust, Gullibility

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Cynic (सिनेक) लोग हमेशा 'Sin' (पाप/गलती) ही ढूंढते हैं, वे किसी पर विश्वास नहीं करते।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From Greek 'Kynikos' meaning dog-like, churlish.

Resentment

(noun)

🗣️ ri-ZENT-muhnt (रि-ज़ेंट-मन्ट)

English Definition

Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly.

हिंदी अर्थ

नाराजगी, रोष, कटुता

📝 Editorial Context: "...and deepen resentment among the youth who turned up in their thousands at Jantar Mantar."

✓ Synonyms: Bitterness, Grudge, Indignation, Anger

✗ Antonyms: Contentment, Goodwill, Satisfaction

💡 याद रखने की Mnemonic Trick:

Re-sentment = जब आप किसी कड़वी बात को बार-बार अपने दिल में महसूस (re-sense) करते हैं, तो वह 'resentment' (नाराजगी) बन जाती है।

🌱 Root Word Breakdown: From French 'resentir', from Latin 're-' (intensive) + 'sentire' (to feel).

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Editorial Idioms & Phrases (आज के मुहावरे)

1. Seized of

Meaning (English): To be officially in possession of, or actively dealing with a matter (commonly used in legal contexts).

अर्थ (हिंदी): किसी मामले या विषय पर विचार कर रहा होना / संज्ञान में होना

💬 Example: "The Supreme Court of India is seized of the matter, but it has done little so far to restrain the police..."

2. Rule of law

Meaning (English): The restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.

अर्थ (हिंदी): कानून का शासन / विधि का शासन

💬 Example: "All it needs is professionalism and a strict adherence to the principle of the rule of law."

3. Due process

Meaning (English): Fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement.

अर्थ (हिंदी): उचित कानूनी प्रक्रिया / कानून सम्मत प्रक्रिया

💬 Example: "...the applicable law should be clearly cited, and due process should be followed transparently."

4. Above the law

Meaning (English): Exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else.

अर्थ (हिंदी): कानून से ऊपर होना (नियमों से छूट मिलना)

💬 Example: "...nobody, including the police, is above the law."

5. Go back on (promises)

Meaning (English): To fail to keep a promise, agreement, or commitment.

अर्थ (हिंदी): वादे से मुकर जाना / अपनी बात से पीछे हटना

💬 Example: "The government should not appear to have gone back on its promises to the agitating students..."

6. Call off

Meaning (English): To cancel an event or agreement.

अर्थ (हिंदी): वापस लेना, रद्द करना, टालना

💬 Example: "...who called off the protests once their demands were met."

🧠

Vocabulary Practice Quiz

आज के एडिटोरियल से खुद को टेस्ट करें!

0 / 6

QUESTION 1 OF 6

Identify the word that is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to 'Arbitrary' as used in legal and governance contexts.

A Capricious

B Methodical

C Despotic

D Discretionary

QUESTION 2 OF 6

In formal administrative and legal parlance, what does the idiom "seized of" mean?

A To be completely paralyzed by fear or panic during a crisis.

B To confiscate or illegally occupy someone's private property.

C To be officially in possession of, or actively dealing with a matter.

D To declare a sudden state of emergency in a region.

QUESTION 3 OF 6

Choose the word that best fits the blank to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct: "The administration's continuous disregard for democratic norms will only serve to ________ public cynicism and distrust in the judicial system."

A alleviate

B entrench

C restrain

D call off

QUESTION 4 OF 6

Which of the following sentences correctly utilizes the idiom "go back on"?

A The committee decided to go back on their original schedule to accommodate the international delegates.

B It is highly unprofessional for a sovereign government to go back on its written treaties and trade promises.

C She had to go back on her words to explain the complex scientific theory to laymen.

D The security forces chose to go back on the rioters to avoid further bloodshed.

QUESTION 5 OF 6

In the sentence, "The gravity of the security breach warrants an immediate and independent investigation," the word 'warrants' is used as a verb to mean:

A To issue a written legal arrest order.

B To justify or necessitate a certain course of action.

C To guarantee the high quality of a commercial product.

D To suppress or put a sudden end to an activity.

QUESTION 6 OF 6

Which of the following options represents the correct pair of SYNONYMS for 'Dubious' and 'Resentment' respectively?

A Certain; Affection

B Equivocal; Indignation

C Indubitable; Hostility

D Authentic; Contentment

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