The Vocab Master For All Competitive Exams | 16-02-2024

1. UNDERMINE

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To weaken or sabotage, especially someone's efforts, authority, or position.

Synonym: Sabotage, subvert

Antonym: Bolster, support, strengthen

Sentence: The constant criticisms from his colleagues were designed to undermine his authority in the office.

2. MALAISE

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease, often without any specific cause; a sense of dissatisfaction or unhappiness.

Synonym: Discomfort, lethargy, discontent

Antonym: Well-being, comfort, vitality, vigor

Sentence: After the company announced layoffs, there was a sense of malaise among the employees, leading to decreased productivity and morale.

3. INTERIM

Part of speech: Adjective, Noun

Meaning : Temporary measure until something permanent or final is not decided; an interval between two events or stages.

Synonym: transitional, makeshift, stopgap

Antonym: Permanent, final, settled, conclusive

Sentence: After the sudden resignation of the CEO, the company appointed John as the interim leader until they found a permanent replacement.

4. TUSSLE

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A vigorous struggle, fight, or scuffle, often involving physical contact or vigorous disagreement.

Synonym: skirmish, brawl, altercation, clash

Antonym: Harmony, agreement, peace, concord

Sentence: The two players got into a tussle over the ball during the game.

5. VEXED

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Feeling or showing irritation, annoyance, or frustration.

Synonym: Annoyed, exasperated, troubled, bothered

Antonym: Calm, content, pleased, unruffled, unperturbed

Example: After hours of trying to solve the puzzle, he grew increasingly vexed with his inability to find the solution.

6. RESURGENCE

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The act of rising or coming back into prominence, popularity, or importance after a period of decline or stagnation.

Synonym: Revival, reawakening, comeback, Antonym: Decline, downturn, decrease, recession

Example: There has been a resurgence of interest in traditional craftsmanship in recent years.

7. HOBBLE

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To walk or move with difficulty, often due to injury or physical impairment;

to hinder or impede the progress or development of something.

Synonym: Limp, hinder, impede, hamper

Antonym: Stride, march, progress, advance

Example: After spraining her ankle, she hobbled around on crutches for a few weeks.

8. HERALD

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: a person or thing viewed as a sign that something is about to happen; to announce or proclaim something, especially with enthusiasm

Synonym: Announce, signal, declare

Antonym: Conceal, suppress, silence

Example: The ringing of the church bells heralded the arrival of the new year.

9. IRON-FISTED

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Describing someone who rules or controls with strictness, harshness, often characterized by a lack of tolerance or mercy.

Synonym: Authoritarian, dictatorial, oppressive, tyrannical, ruthless

Antonym: Lenient, democratic, gentle, compassionate

Example: Under the iron-fisted rule of the dictator, dissent was swiftly crushed and freedoms were severely restricted.

10. AT THE HELM (Idiom)

Meaning: It refers to being in control or in a position of leadership.

Synonym: In charge, in command, in control, leading, steering

Antonym: Out of control, subordinate, follower

Example sentence: With the CEO at the helm, the company navigated through the challenging economic downturn successfully.

 

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