The Hindu Editorial (Towards the endgame) – May 14, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Towards the endgame) – May 14, 2024:

get better (phrase) – improve, progress, pick up, rally, advance.
held past participle of hold (verb) – conduct, organize.
blow hot and cold (phrase) – keep changing one’s mind/opinion, change mood/attitude frequently; vacillate, oscillate.
rivalry (noun) – competition, opposition, conflict, discord, friction, enmity.
elaborate (adjective) – rigorous, detailed, intricate, complete, comprehensive, intensive, extensive.
up for grabs/the take (phrase) – available and ready to be won or taken; available for anyone to get.
held past participle of hold (verb) – receive, get, obtain, acquire.
overarching (adjective) – comprehensive, all-inclusive, across-the-board, all-embracing, all-encompassing, sweeping, extensive, broad
theme (noun) – subject, matter, topic, issue.
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.
rally around (phrasal verb) – to join together to help or support someone in a difficult time or situation.
unsavoury (adjective) – disreputable, unpleasant, disagreeable; dirty, unsavoury, disgusting, dishonest, shameful.
exchange (noun) – argument, debate, war of words, row.
turnout (noun) – participation, attendance. (Voter turnout refers to the number or percentage of eligible voters who cast their ballots).
hold in contempt (phrase) – to regard someone with disdain or disrespect; to be disrespectful or disobedient to a body, usually a court.
hit back (phrasal verb) – retaliate, counterattack, take revenge, take vengeance for, avenge, settle a score, hit back at someone, pay someone back, get even.
puzzling (adjective) – perplexing, mystifying, bewildering.
act on (phrasal verb) – take action according to; act in accordance with.
casteist (adjective) – relating to something which has an attachment to a caste system.
mobilise (verb) – (of people) bring together for a particular cause.
largely (adverb) – mostly, mainly, generally.
identity (noun) – a social category, a set of persons marked by a label and distinguished by rules deciding membership and (alleged) characteristic features or attributes; individuality, character, originality.
mischievous (adjective) – bad, wicked; hurtful, evil-intentioned.
demographic (adjective) – relating to the statistical study/structure of populations, especially human beings.
come in handy (phrase) – to be useful.
insinuation (noun) – (unpleasant) implication, reference, indication, suggestion; cutting/mocking remark, insult, affront, jibe, slight.
polarisation (noun) – separation of two contrasting groups (based on different opinions/beliefs).
favour (verb) – support, back, advocate, subscribe to, stand up for, recommend, champion.
vocabulary (noun) – terminology, language, terms, words (used in a particular subject).
diversity (noun) – existence/presence of different people (from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives ranging from race to age to gender to hometown to educational experience) within group; variety, variance, difference.
aspersion (noun) – condemnation, criticism; disparagement, defamation; character assassination, libel.
dress up (phrasal verb) – present, portray, represent, depict (something in a method to make it more appealing/better).
well-being (noun) – healthy state/condition.
proclamation (noun) – a formal public statement, announcement, declaration, pronouncement.
land (verb) – (of something undesirable/unexpected) come suddenly.
interim (adjective) – provisional, temporary, short-term, transitional.
bail (noun) – conditional, temporary release of an arrested/imprisoned person when a specified amount of security is deposited or pledged (as cash or property) to ensure his/her appearance in court when required.
facilitate (verb) – assist, help, aid, ease, make easy, make possible.
trail (noun) – path/way, pathway, course, route.
quick on one’s feet (phrase) – sharp-witted, with shrewd intelligence, mental acuity; to be agile and responsive.
drag into (phrasal verb) – involve someone in an (inappropriate or unnecessary) situation.
claim for oneself (phrase) – to declare something as one’s authority/property/jurisdiction.
put forth (phrasal verb) – suggest, put forward, propose, present, recommend.
welfare (noun) – (noun) – a government program that provides (financial) assistance to individuals and families in need; social security, government/state benefit, public assistance.
guarantee (noun) – promise, assurance, pledge, vow, oath, commitment.
add to (phrasal verb) – increase, intensify, heighten, deepen.
tensions (noun) – strained relations, strain, unease.
delicate (adjective) – subtle; fragile; easily broken.
dynamic (adjective) – energetic, powerful, effective, vigorous.
equilibrium (noun) – balance, evenness, parity, symmetry.
disparate (adjective) – contrasting, different, diversified, separate, differing, dissimilar.
force (noun) – party, outfit, group.