The Hindu Editorial (Laughter challenge) – Jul 20, 2021

Deciphering the political calculus of the Congress can be a tough task. The latest example is the appointment of Navjot Sidhu as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-2 for The Hindu Editorial (Laughter challenge) – Jul 20, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Laughter challenge) – Jul 20, 2021:

laughter (noun as modifier) – laughing.
calculus (noun) – calculation, estimation, reasoning.
intent on (adjective) – determined, insistent, fixed, hell-bent.
undermine (verb) – weaken, hinder, damage, subvert, sabotage.
decipher (verb) – interpret, comprehend, understand.
mount (verb) – increase, rise, escalate.
relentless (adjective) – constant, continuous, non-stop, unceasing.
attack (noun) – criticism, censure, rebuke.
task (verb) – assign/allot a task to do.
flirt with (verb) – consider, give thought to; meddle/play with, interfere with, tinker with.
on account of (phrase) – because of, owing to, due to, by virtue of.
berth (noun) – position (in a government).
fall out (phrasal verb) – quarrel, have a row/fight, squabble, disagree, differ, have a difference of opinion.
constitute (verb) – comprise, compose, account for, represent.
tilt (verb) – change.
tilt the scales/balance (phrase) – to change the balance of a situation, so that one side is gaining an advantage.
in one’s favour (phrase) – to one’s benefit/advantage.
on the one hand (phrase) – it is used to introduce the first of two contrasting different, points, facts, or ways of looking at something. It is always followed later by “on the other hand” or ‘on the other’.
opportunism (noun) – expediency, exploitation, taking advantage, pragmatism, realism.
lack of (noun) – absence, deficiency, scarcity, dearth.
maturity (noun) – sense of responsibility, level-headedness, practicality.
unprincipled (adjective) – immoral, unethical, unscrupulous, dishonest, unprofessional.
greed (noun) – desire, urge, need, appetite.
defect (verb) – change allegiances, change loyalties, change sides.
track record (noun) – previous performance, previous accomplishments, previous achievements.
activism (noun) – involvement; campaigning/supporting (to cause political or social change).
ideologically (adverb) – dogmatically, conventionally; in a method which relates to an ideology.
align (verb) – unite, combine, join, team up, band together, cooperate.
opportunist (noun) – a person who is selfish, self-centred, self-seeking, egocentric.
conviction (noun) – belief, opinion, view, thought, idea, position.
strategy (noun) – plan of action (in order to achieve a more expansive set of political, economic, and security interests).
hand over (phrasal verb) – pass, assign, transfer.
command (noun) – authority, control, charge, power.
turncoat (noun) – traitor, defector, deserter, betrayer.
bankruptcy (noun) – failure, ruin, loss, disaster.
misplaced (noun) – misguided, unwise, ill-advised, ill-considered, ill-judged.
assertion (noun) – declaration, announcement, assurance, attestation, affirmation.
ride roughshod over (phrase) – treat with contempt, trample over, show no consideration for, treat inconsiderately/disrespectfully, ignore, disregard (others).
satrap (noun) – local ruler, subordinate official, governor (of a province in ancient Persian empire).
fold (noun) – group, body, community.
command (verb) – have control of, be the leader of, be the boss of, preside over, have authority over, hold sway over.
suffocate (verb) – stifle, choke; suppress, smother, restrain.
durbar (noun) – imperial/colonial system.
flourish (verb) – develop, improve, progress, evolve, thrive, prosper.
assertive (adjective) – dominant, domineering, forceful, authoritative.
authoritarian (adjective) – oppressive, draconian, undemocratic, dictatorial, totalitarian.
humiliate (verb) – embarrass, humble, shame.
rein in (phrasal verb) – to control, restrain, restrict, limit someone/something.
deed (noun) – action.
perhaps (adverb) – maybe, possibly.
rationale (noun) – reason, reasoning/thinking, logic, grounds, basis.
in the absence of (phrase) – without.
convincing (adjective) – well founded, plausible, credible, believable.
stoop (verb) – lower oneself, sink, descend, resort.
court (noun) – palace, royal residence.
jester (noun) – joker, comedian, comic, funny man.
undercut (verb) – undermine, weaken, impair, damage.
standing (noun) – position, prestige, reputation, stature, importance.
bleak (adjective) – unpromising, unfavourable, disadvantageous, discouraging, gloomy.