The Hindu Editorial (X factor) – Feb 24, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (X factor) – Feb 24, 2024:

1. x factor (noun) – a very special quality.
2. act against (verb) – act in opposition to; oppose, stand up to.
3. shutdown (noun) – closure of a (complete) system; close down, closure, suspension, stoppage.
4. arbitrary (adjective) – capricious, personal (whim/choice), subjective, unmotivated, unreasonable, irrational, illogical, unjustifiable, groundless; tyrannical, autocratic, dictatorial, authoritarian, draconian, anti-democratic.
5. curb (noun) – constraint, restriction, limitation, control.
6. free speech (noun) – the right to express one’s opinions publicly (without any restraint).
7. rampant  (adjective) – uncontrolled, unrestrained, unchecked, out of control; widespread, very common, pervasive, omnipresent, ubiquitous, prevalent, rife
8. tool (noun) – instrument, mechanism, apparatus, device; a helping thing.
9. arbitrarily (adverb) – in a way that is based on personal desire/choice rather than any reason/plan; randomly, casually, capriciously, whimsically, unreasonably, unpredictably
10. cause (noun) – reason, grounds, motive, basis, pretext, purpose.
11. vague (adjective) – imprecise, inexact, unclear/uncertain.
12. prospective (adjective) – likely, possible, potential, expected, eventual, soon-to-be.
13. breakdown (noun) – failure, collapse.
14. law and order (noun) – a condition in which the existing rules, regulations, norms and related legal codes are recognized and observed for the sustenance of peace, orderliness and security of lives and property in society.
15. implement (verb) – carry out, perform, put into effect, enforce, apply, execute.
16. proportionality (noun) – the quality of being in relation to severity, quantity, degree, period of something; proportion, correlation.
17. lay out (phrasal verb) – plan, work out, outline, formulate, draw up.
18. on the other hand (phrase) – alternatively, instead of, rather, in lieu.
19. oft- (prefix) – short form for ‘often’.
20. deployed (adjective) – used, utilized, employed.
21. device (noun) – tool, apparatus, instrument, mechanism
22. accede (verb) – accept, agree, say yes to, adopt, comply with, yield to, give in to.
23. fall foul of/run afoul of (phrase) – get into trouble, come into conflict with, go against (by not following rules/standards)
24. consideration (noun) – a fact taken into account in deciding something; factor, point, concern, issue, matter.
25. challenge (verb) – disagree with, object to, confront, dispute, protest against.
26. blanket (adjective) – outright, overall, total, complete, general, extensive, indiscriminate.
27. judgment (noun) – verdict, ruling, pronouncement, decision.
28. dismiss (verb) – reject, deny, disregard, set aside, pay no heed to.
29. admit (verb) – acknowledge, accept, agree, allow.
30. appeal (noun) – plea, petition, earnest request, supplication, entreaty.
31. hearing (noun) – litigation, court case, lawsuit, hearing, inquiry, judicial/legal proceedings.
32. under way (adverb) – in progress, happening now.
33. takeover (noun) – gaining of control, change of ownership, acquisition.
34. transparency (noun) – clarity, straightforwardness, openness, honesty, unambiguity.
35. take down (phrasal verb) – remove, take out, demolish.
36. withhold (verb) – suppress, repress, control, hold back, curb, restrain.
37. flag (verb) – indicate, point out, identify; draw attention to something.
38. recourse (noun) – option, way out, alternative, possibility, remedy.
39. thriving (adjective) – flourishing, burgeoning, prospering, successful, booming.
40. strive (verb) – try, try hard, aim, aspire, seek, struggle, make every effort.
41. critique (noun) – analysis, evaluation, assessment, appraisal, review.
42. take one’s cue from (phrase) – follow the advice of someone, be highly influenced by someone; follow, imitate, copy, mimic.
43. interest (noun) – common concerns (in politics/business).
44. worrisome (adjective) – distressing, upsetting, worrying, troublesome, unpleasant, dismal/awful.
45. extant (adjective) – present, existing.
46. lend/give credence to (phrase) – to make something (opinion/idea) seem correct.
47. authorities (noun) – bureaucracy, officials, officialdom, the people in charge, the administration, the establishment, the system, corridors of power.
48. berth (noun) – position/place.
49. seek (verb) – request, ask for, appeal for.
50. reasoning (noun) – reason, justification, cause, grounds, explanation, rationale.
51. definitively (adverb) – finally, certainly, surely, positively, definitely.
52. obligation (noun) – dedication, adherence, commitment, responsibility, onus, liability, accountability.
53. at all (phrase) – in any way; to any extent.
54. mean (verb) – be important, be significant, have significance, matter.
55. reputation (noun) – character, image, standing, stature, status.
56. open (adjective) – impartial, unbiased, unprejudiced, non-partisan, non-discriminatory, neutral. 
57. base (noun) – a group of people considered as supporting an organization/party.

Note :

1. Click each one of the words above for their definition, more synonyms, pronunciation, example sentences, phrases, derivatives, origin and etc. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/.

2. Definitions (elementary level) & Synonyms provided for the words above are my personal work and not that of Oxford University Press. Tentative definitions/meanings are provided for study purposes only and they may vary in a different context.  

3. This word list is for personal use only. Reproduction in any format and/or Commercial use of it is/are strictly prohibited.

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