The Hindu Editorial (Puncturing ties) – Feb 07, 2023

The shooting down of a Chinese surveillance balloon by the U.S. military has served as a stark reminder of the deep distrust that characterises relations between the world’s two biggest powers. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Puncturing ties) – Feb 07, 2023.

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The Hindu Editorial (Puncturing ties) – Feb 07, 2023

puncturing (adjective) – deflating, collapsing, failing, reducing.
ties (noun) – association, relationship, bond, connection.
row (noun) – argument, quarrel, fight, dispute, clash, disagreement.
hot-button (adjective) – relating to a subject/problem that is important to people and about which they have have very strong feelings/views/opinions.
shoot down (phrasal verb) – gun down, bring down (an aircraft or missile or something).
surveillance (noun) – monitoring, observation, scrutiny.
surveillance balloon (noun) – a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for gathering intelligence and spotting artillery.
serve (verb) – act as, function as.
stark (adjective) – clear, distinct, evident, obvious, striking.
distrust (noun) – misgiving, mistrust, doubt, qualm.
characterise (verb) – identify, depict, describe.
spark (verb) – cause, lead to , give rise to, bring about, initiate; incite, provoke, kindle, trigger, arouse.
diplomatic (adjective) – (delicate & sensitive) consular, foreign-policy.
lead to (verb) – result in, cause, bring on.
Secretary of State (noun) – In the United States, the Secretary of State is the head of the government department which deals with foreign affairs.
call off (phrasal verb) – cancel, abandon, shelve.
anticipated (adjective) – expected, predicted, foreseen.
diplomat (noun) – ambassador, envoy, consul, emissary.
spiral (noun) – the process of deterioration, decline, decrease.
come out (phrasal verb) – emerge, transpire (as a result).
G-20 (noun) – The G20, formed in 1999, is a group of twenty of the world’s largest economies that meets regularly to coordinate global policy on trade, health, climate, and other issues. It brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK and USA. The G20 Countries together represent around 90% of global GDP, 80% of global trade, and two thirds of the world’s population.
summit (noun) – meeting, talk, discussion (between heads of government).
fragility (noun) – vulnerability, riskiness; weakness, delicacy.
lay bare (phrase) – reveal, expose, disclose, make known.
puncture (verb) – flatten, deplete.
stability (noun) – steadiness, firmness, solidity, secureness, strength.
mar (verb) – spoil, ruin, destroy, impair.
growing (adjective) – increasing.
discord (noun) – strife, conflict, friction, hostility, disagreement, lack of agreement, lack of harmony.
maintain (verb) – state, announce, declare, assert, affirm.
civilian (noun) – non-military person, ordinary citizen.
meteorology (noun) – the science that deals with the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, especially with weather and weather forecasting.
drift (verb) – depart, deviate, swerve, digress.
off-course (adjective) – away from the projected path; in the wrong direction.
slam (verb) – criticize, find fault with, censure, condemn.
move (noun) – step, action, act, measure, tactic.
deployment (noun) – the act of employing something (resources) into effective action.
on the eve of (phrase) – a period or day before an important event.
grave (adjective) – crucial/critical, important/significant, serious.
provocation (noun) – annoyance, irritation, agitation, vexation; stirring, goading, prompting.
point out (phrasal verb) – identify, draw attention to, indicate, specify, mention.
tolerate (verb) – allow, permit, authorize, sanction, agree to, accede to, approve of.
acknowledge (verb) – accept, recognize, realize.
by no means (phrase) – not at all, in no way, certainly not, absolutely not, definitely not.
presumably (adverb) – probably, in all likelihood, undoubtedly, seemingly.
come to the conclusion (phrase) – conclude, deduce, infer, decide.
in the (day &) age of (phrase) – in these times; in the present time.
intelligence (noun) – (military/political) information, facts, details, particulars.
warrant (verb) – justify, validate, uphold, endorse, call for.
prompt (verb) – call forth, evoke, cause, give rise to, result in.
intrusion (noun) – encroachment on, trespass on, infringement of.
provocative (adjective) – annoying, irritating, agitational, provoking, inflammatory, goading.
conceivable (adjective) – possible, likely, probable.
at home (phrase) – in one’s own country.
reflect (verb) – indicate, express, show, display, prove.
development (noun) – turn of events, occurrence, happening, incident.
constrain (verb) – pressurize, urge, force, push; restrict, limit, control, contain.
dial down (phrasal verb) – lessen the amount or intensity of something.
tensions (noun) – strained relations, strain, unease.
collision (noun) – conflict, clash, opposition, disagreement.
charged (adjective) – emotional, heated, fraught, intense.
backdrop (noun) – situation, scenario, context.
rivalry (noun) – competition, opposition, conflict, discord, friction, enmity.
muscle-flexing (noun) – showing power or strength (figuratively).
discourse (noun) – discussion, conversation, communication, expression.
off-ramp (noun) – exit lane; the exit from a highway. (“on-ramp” is entry lane; the entry onto a highway).
far more (phrase) – much more.