The Hindu Editorial (Dodging bullets) – Jul 16, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Dodging bullets) – Jul 16, 2024:

dodge (verb) – move quickly and suddenly to avoid something; dart, bolt, duck, body-swerve, elude, avoid, evade, escape, run away from, sidestep, steer clear of, circumvent.
assassination (noun) – murder, killing.
bid (noun) – attempt.
polarisation (noun) – separation of two contrasting groups (based on different opinions/beliefs).
narrowly (adverb) – only just, barely.
rally (noun) – meeting, gathering, assembly.
rush off (phrasal verb) – leave in haste; depart in a hurry; leave/depart very quickly.
The United States Secret Service (USSS or Secret Service) (noun) – The United States Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and more than 150 offices throughout the United States and abroad. The Secret Service was established in 1865, solely to suppress the counterfeiting of U.S. currency. Today, the agency is mandated by Congress to carry out dual missions: protection of national and visiting foreign leaders, and criminal investigations.
Republican (noun) – (in the US) a member or supporter of the Republican Party (also referred to as the GOP); conservative, right winger. Grand Old Party (GOP) refers to the Republican Party.
on/at the scene (phrase) – being at the very place of occurrence.
return fire (phrase) – shoot back at someone.
unfold (verb) – develop, evolve, happen, occur, transpire, emerge.
fraught (adjective) – worried, troubled, stressful, overwrought, distressed, agitated, distracted, frantic, desperate, distraught (and with many problems).
ironically (adverb) – paradoxically , unexpectedly, strangely.
periodically (phrase) – sometimes, occasionally, every now and then, from time to time, intermittently, sporadically.
indulge in (verb) – become involved in something that you like (a particular desire, interest, etc.); become involved in (an undesirable activity).
rhetoric (noun) – bombast, loftiness, hyperbole/extravagant language.
condone (verb) – approve, sanction, justify, vindicate, endorse (something bad as acceptable).
sympathise (verb) – agree, support, favour.
sphere (noun) – arena, domain, realm, field, territory, area; an area/field of activity.
notable (adjective) – important, significant, obvious, glaring, striking.
mob (noun) – a large, disorganized, and often violent crowd of people.
breach (verb) – break through, force itself through, burst (through); violate.
Capitol (noun) – In the United States, the Capitol is a building in Washington in which the US Congress meets.
patriot (noun) – nationalist, loyalist, flag-waver.
to a certain extent (phrase) – to some degree, in a way, in some measure.
unprecedented (adjective) – not done or experienced before.
engender (verb) – cause, give rise to, bring about, produce, create, (a particular feeling, atmosphere, or situation).
bridge the gulf/gap/divide (phrase) – try to find a way to reduce the gap/disagreement and bring the two separate viewpoints together.
partisan (adjective) – one-sided, preferential, sectarian, factional.
divide (noun) – difference, disagreement (between people).
unequivocally (adverb) – absolutely, directly, clearly, unambiguously, conclusively, unconditionally, categorically, unqualifiedly, explicitly, outright.
condemn (verb) – denounce, criticize, censure, castigate, hit out at, discredit, find fault with, slam.
sick (adjective) – disappointed, low-spirited, miserable, disgusted, annoyed.
sentiment (noun) – feeling, emotion; thought, opinion.
figure (noun) – a distinctive person or an important person.
as/so far as – is concerned (phrase) – with regard to, about (a particular person or situation).
project (verb) – predict, expect.
Swing State (noun) – it refers to any (U.S) state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican presidential candidate by a swing in votes. “Red state” refers to states of the United States whose voters predominantly choose Republican Party (red) presidential candidates where as “blue state” refers to states of the United States whose voters predominantly select Democratic Party (blue) presidential candidates.
critical (adjective) – important, key, essential, vital, crucial.
unassailable (adjective) – indisputable, undeniable, unquestionable; beyond question/doubt, conclusive.
approval rating (noun) – a measure of people’s approval of a political leader.
jump (verb) – increase, rise suddenly; soar.
assume (verb) – accept, undertake, take on, take up, begin to have (power or responsibility).
campaign (noun) – canvassing, electioneering, an act of soliciting (asking for/requesting) votes; an organized effort that seeks to influence the decision-making progress within a specific group.
capitalise on (verb) – take advantage of, use, make use of, benefit from.
martyrdom (noun) – death/suffering of a martyr.
adopt (verb) – choose or select to use; approve, agree, support, take on.
language (noun) – way of talking, mode of expression.
build on (phrasal verb) – develop, expand on, amplify, add detail to.
vicious (adjective) – serious, dangerous, dreadful, bitter, nasty, hostile, hate-filled, acrimonious, poisonous, spiteful.
Democrat (noun) – (in the US) a member or supporter of the Democratic Party; liberal.
deliberately (adverb) – intentionally, purposely, purposefully, knowingly.
conflate (verb) – combine, abridge/summarize (too many information into one); shrink, shorten, reduce.
animus (noun) – hostility, conflict, feud.
civility (noun) – politeness, good manners, consideration, respect.
structured (noun) – organized, systematic, methodical, well ordered, planned.
baser comparative adjective of base (adjective) – improper, unprincipled, low, low-minded, bad, wrong.
populist (adjective) – relating to the politicians who claim that they are representing the common/ordinary people.
instinct (noun) – natural tendency/feeling, inclination, urge, compulsion.
baser instincts (noun) – the natural tendency that a person or animal has to behave or react in a particular way.
inevitably (adverb) – necessarily, unavoidably, definitely, certainly, surely.
exacerbate (verb) – increase, escalate, add to, intensify, heighten, aggravate, make worse.
bitter (adjective) – acrimonious, spiteful, vicious, vindictive, hostile, hate-filled, venomous, angry.
state (noun) – condition, situation, circumstances.
discourse (noun) – discussion, conversation, communication, expression.
brink (noun) – edge/verge/end (of something).
deeply (adverb) – extremely, intensely, severely, awfully.
polity (noun) – a politically organized society.
hardly (adverb) – slightly, rarely, scarcely, barely, only just.
scenario (noun) – situation, background, context.
bipartisan (adjective) – involving cooperation between two (opposite & big) political parties.