The Hindu Editorial (Easily provoked) – Mar 29, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Easily provoked) – Mar 29, 2024:

provoked (adjective) – annoyed, irritated, upset, bothered, vexed, offended.
affairs (noun) – events, incidents, happenings, occurrences, problems, concerns, matters, activities.
square off (phrasal verb) – to fight/compete/oppose or prepare to fight/compete/oppose someone in a competition
summon (verb) – order someone to be present; call for, ask for, request the presence of.
acting (adjective) – temporary, short-term, interim, deputy.
mission (noun) – all embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic posts in foreign countries are collectively known as missions. These missions share the common goal of carrying out the foreign policy objectives of a respective government.
sternly (adverb) – strictly, severely, stringently.
call on (phrasal verb) – ask, request, appeal, urge.
desist (verb) – stop, discontinue, hold back, refrain from doing something.
dressing-down (noun) – an angry/severe reprimand.
dress down (phrasal verb) – reprimand, rebuke, admonish, reprove, criticize, censure, castigate.
diplomat (noun) – ambassador, envoy, emissary/consul.
tone down (phrasal verb) – moderate, temper, mitigate, decrease, reduce, lessen.
subsequently (adverb) – afterwards, later on, in due course.
administration (noun) – government.
double down (phrasal verb) – to be more firm & resolute on something (decided) even if that might be a risky choice; to double or increase a risk involved in doing something
transparent (adjective) – open, candid, direct, straightforward, forthright; clear, obvious, noticeable, visible.
timely (adjective) – prompt, well timed, at the right time, opportune, appropriate.
freezing (noun) – an act of limiting/restricting (bank transactions from taking place).
freeze (verb) – limit, restrict (bank transactions from taking place).
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.
prompt (verb) – cause, bring about, give rise to, result in, lead to, evoke, bring forth.
rebuke (noun) – criticism, censure, admonition, reproval, reproach, scolding, castigation, condemnation, reprimand.
galling (adjective) – annoying, irritating, vexing, disturbing, frustrating, displeasing, humiliating
Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) (noun) – The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to grant citizenship to religious minorities of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, who had to flee their homeland facing persecution. The six minority groups that have been specifically identified are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and Parsis.
non-governmental organization (NGO) (noun) – it is generally defined as nonprofit entities independent of governmental influence (although they may receive government funding). A not-for profit, voluntary citizen’s group that is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.
growing (adjective) – increasing.
introspect (verb) – self-observe, self-examine, self analyse, contemplate.
intervention (noun) – the process of intervening in something; involvement, interference.
brinkmanship (noun) – the practice of trying to achieve an advantageous results by engaging in a dangerous issue or event to the edge of safety, especially in politics, by pushing dangerous events.
indictment (noun) – accusation, charge, allegation.
alleged (adjective) – supposed, so-called, purported, reported, presumed.
assassination (noun) – murder, killing.
plot (noun) – conspiracy, secret plan, stratagem.
Khalistani (adjective) – supporting Khalistan movement.
Khalistanis (noun) – people who are related/connected to the Khalistan movement (a Sikh separatist movement) seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing a sovereign state, called Khālistān (‘Land of the Khalsa’), in the Punjab region.
separatist (noun) – secessionist, dissident, protester, sectarian, nonconformist extremist, radical.
critic (noun) – criticizer, censurer, castigator, attacker, fault-finder.
claim (verb) – state, insist, argue, assert, affirm.
engagement (noun) – participation, contribution, involvement.
setback (noun) – problem, difficulty, issue.
strategic (adjective) – relating to achieving long-term or overall goals.
Quad/Quadrilateral (noun) – The ‘Quadrilateral’ is described as four democracies (the United States, Japan, Australia and India) with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
summit (noun) – meeting, conference, conclave (international meeting/conference of heads of state/government).
National Security Adviser (NSA) (noun) – the central co-ordinator and adviser to the prime minister/president and cabinet on security, intelligence, defence, and some foreign policy matters. They are based in the Cabinet Office and work across departments to bring together a coherent national security strategy that fits with the government’s priorities.
Ambassador (noun) – diplomat, envoy, consul, emissary.
merit (verb) – deserve, warrant, justify, be worthy of.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
kerfuffle (noun) – commotion, disruption, disturbance, disorder, furore, fuss, hullabaloo, brouhaha, racket, ruckus, tumult, turmoil, uproar, clamour.
high-decibel (adjective) – loud, demanding, strong, vociferous.
unseemly (adjective) – ill-advised, unworthy, improper, inappropriate, undignified.
spat (noun) – argument or quarrel for nothing.
pay someone back in the same coin (phrase) – to treat someone in the same way he/she treated you.
development (noun) – turn of events, happening, circumstance, situation.
pugilistic (adjective) – fighting relating to a boxer; relating to boxing.
diplomacy (noun) – international politics, foreign affairs, foreign policy; negotiations, discussions, talks, dialogue (related to international politics).
in fact (phrase) – actually, in actuality, really, in reality, indeed.
of the kind (or) of sorts (phrase) – something lie; something similar to a thing just mentioned.
broad shoulder (noun phrase) – the ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.
shoulder (noun) – someone’s shoulders considered as bearing responsibility.
a thick skin (noun phrase) – the ability to ignore criticism or insults
quiet confidence (noun) – it refers to the ability to project self-assurance, inner strength and competence without the need for excessive boastfulness/self-promotion.
speak for itself (phrase) – very clear, self-explanatory & not to need further explanation.