Daily Editorial Vocabulary Analysis for Bank & SSC Exams | 26 Feb 2026 | 50+ Words

Learn English Vocabulary from Veranda RACE’s Daily Editorial Analysis for 26 Feb 2026

This blog post by Veranda RACE helps competitive exam aspirants learn 50+ high-level vocabulary English words with meanings, synonyms, antonyms and usage examples — perfect for Bank Exam, Insurance Exam, Intelligence Bureau, SSC Exam, Railways/RRB Exam, TNTET and UPSC Exam preparation.

This February 2026, Veranda RACE brings a focused learning guide to help competitive exam aspirants strengthen high-level English vocabulary with meanings, synonyms, antonyms and usage examples. This will be ideal for Bank Exams, Insurance Exams, SSC Exams, Railways/RRB Exams, TNTET, UPSC and Intelligence Bureau preparation. With major exams lined up this month such as the SBI CBO Exam, mastering strong vocabulary and comprehension has never been more important for both Prelims and Mains exams.

Reading the Daily Editorial Analysis, curated by Veranda RACE every day, builds your reading comprehension, critical thinking and vocabulary recall. It sharpens your ability to handle descriptive papers, mains answer writing and tricky prelims passages. Designed for clarity, accuracy and exam relevance, this English vocabulary series helps aspirants stay ahead of the curve. Prepare smarter with contextual learning from trusted sources, only at Veranda RACE.

Daily Editorial Vocabulary Analysis – 26 February 2026

1. Strident

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Having a loud, harsh or grating quality; presenting a point of view in an excessively forceful way

Tamil Meaning: கடுமையான

Malayalam Meaning: കർക്കശമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಕರ್ಕಶವಾದ

Synonyms: harsh, loud, vociferous, clamorous, discordant

Antonyms: soft, gentle, melodious, harmonious, quiet

Usage in Sentence: The administration’s strident push for the HPV vaccination programme reflects its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer.

2. Perilously

Part of speech: Adverb

Meaning: In a way that is full of danger or risk

Tamil Meaning: ஆபத்தான முறையில்

Malayalam Meaning: അപകടകരമായി

Kannada Meaning: ಅಪಾಯಕರವಾಗಿ

Synonyms: dangerously, hazardously, riskily, precariously, critically

Antonyms: safely, securely, harmlessly, cautiously

Usage in Sentence: Anti-vaccination sentiment has perilously grown in many parts of the world, threatening hard-won public health gains.

3. Favourable

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Expressing approval or giving consent; advantageous or beneficial

Tamil Meaning: சாதகமான, அனுகூலமான

Malayalam Meaning: അനുകൂലമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಅನುಕೂಲಕರವಾದ

Synonyms: positive, advantageous, beneficial, propitious, supportive

Antonyms: unfavourable, adverse, detrimental, negative, hostile

Usage in Sentence: Anti-vaccine movements have found favourable conditions in societies, where misinformation spreads rapidly online.

4. Shunning

Part of speech: Verb (present participle)

Meaning: Persistently avoiding, ignoring or rejecting someone or something

Tamil Meaning: தவிர்த்தல், விலகுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഒഴിവാക്കൽ

Kannada Meaning: ದೂರವಿರುವುದು, ತ್ಯಜಿಸುವುದು

Synonyms: avoiding, evading, rejecting, spurning, boycotting

Antonyms: embracing, welcoming, accepting, seeking, pursuing

Usage in Sentence: People shunning vaccines risk reversing decades of progress in controlling infectious diseases.

5. Apparent

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Clearly visible or understood; obvious

Tamil Meaning: தெளிவான, வெளிப்படையான

Malayalam Meaning: വ്യക്തമായ, പ്രകടമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾದ, ಪ್ರಕಟವಾದ

Synonyms: obvious, evident, clear, visible, manifest

Antonyms: hidden, obscure, unclear, concealed, ambiguous

Usage in Sentence: The impact of vaccine hesitancy is apparent in the measles epidemic spreading across the United States.

6. Epidemic

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time

Tamil Meaning: தொற்றுநோய் பரவல்

Malayalam Meaning: പകർച്ചവ്യാധി, മഹാമാരി

Kannada Meaning: ಸಾಂಕ್ರಾಮಿಕ ರೋಗ

Synonyms: outbreak, plague, pandemic, contagion, surge

Antonyms: containment, eradication, control, suppression

Usage in Sentence: The measles epidemic in the United States is a stark reminder of the consequences of declining vaccination rates.

7. Exclusively

Part of speech: Adverb

Meaning: To the exclusion of others; only

Tamil Meaning: முற்றிலும், பிரத்தியேகமாக

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രത്യേകമായി, മാത്രം

Kannada Meaning: ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ, ಕೇವಲ

Synonyms: solely, only, entirely, uniquely, purely

Antonyms: inclusively, jointly, partially, broadly, generally

Usage in Sentence: The HPV vaccination will be conducted exclusively at designated public health facilities to ensure safety.

8. Designated

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Officially appointed or assigned for a particular purpose

Tamil Meaning: நியமிக்கப்பட்ட, குறிப்பிட்ட

Malayalam Meaning: നിശ്ചിതമാക്കിയ, നിർദ്ദേശിക്കപ്പെട്ട

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಯೋಜಿತ, ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸಿದ

Synonyms: appointed, assigned, specified, selected, nominated

Antonyms: unassigned, random, informal, unofficial, unspecified

Usage in Sentence: Girls will receive the HPV vaccine only at designated public health facilities staffed by trained medical officers.

9. Equipped

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Supplied with the necessary items or skills for a particular purpose

Tamil Meaning: தயாரிக்கப்பட்ட, வசதி செய்யப்பட்ட

Malayalam Meaning: സജ്ജീകരിക்കപ്പെട്ട

Kannada Meaning: ಸಜ್ಜಾಗಿರುವ, ಸಿದ್ಧಗೊಳಿಸಿದ

Synonyms: prepared, furnished, outfitted, provided, ready

Antonyms: unprepared, unequipped, ill-prepared, lacking, deficient

Usage in Sentence: Healthcare teams must be equipped to handle adverse events following immunisation during the vaccination drive.

10. Adverse

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Preventing success or development; harmful or unfavourable

Tamil Meaning: பாதகமான, தீங்கான

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതികൂലമായ, ദോഷകരമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತಿಕೂಲವಾದ, ಹಾನಿಕರವಾದ

Synonyms: harmful, unfavourable, negative, detrimental, hostile

Antonyms: favourable, beneficial, positive, advantageous, helpful

Usage in Sentence: Monitoring and reporting adverse events following immunisation is essential to maintaining public confidence in the vaccine.

11. Immunisation

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The process by which an individual is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine

Tamil Meaning: நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தி அளித்தல் / நோய்த்தடுப்பு

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതിരോധ കുത്തിവയ്പ്

Kannada Meaning: ರೋಗನಿರೋಧಕ ಲಸಿಕೆ ನೀಡಿಕೆ

Synonyms: vaccination, inoculation, protection, prophylaxis

Antonyms: infection, exposure, contamination, vulnerability

Usage in Sentence: Adverse events following immunisation must be documented and investigated to ensure the safety of the HPV programme.

12. Regimen

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A prescribed course of treatment, diet or exercise

Tamil Meaning: சிகிச்சை முறை, ஒழுங்குமுறை

Malayalam Meaning: ചികിത്സാ ക്രമം

Kannada Meaning: ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾ ಕ್ರಮ

Synonyms: schedule, programme, routine, course, plan

Antonyms: disorder, irregularity, chaos, spontaneity

Usage in Sentence: A single-dose regimen recommended by the WHO simplifies the logistics of delivering the HPV vaccine nationally.

13. Deployed

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Brought into effective action or made use of

Tamil Meaning: பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டது, நிலைநிறுத்தப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: വിന്യസിക്കപ്പെട്ടു

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಯಿತು

Synonyms: used, utilised, employed, mobilised, launched

Antonyms: withdrawn, recalled, unused, withheld, retracted

Usage in Sentence: A single-dose vaccine will be deployed across the country as part of HPV vaccination programme.

14. Adequate

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity

Tamil Meaning: போதுமான, தகுந்த

Malayalam Meaning: മതിയായ, പര്യാപ്തമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು, ಸಮರ್ಪಕವಾದ

Synonyms: sufficient, enough, satisfactory, acceptable, reasonable

Antonyms: inadequate, insufficient, lacking, deficient, unsatisfactory

Usage in Sentence: Adequate evidence now exists confirming that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer.

15. Persistent

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action; continuing to exist over a prolonged period

Tamil Meaning: நிலைத்திருக்கும், தொடர்ச்சியான

Malayalam Meaning: നിരന്തരമായ, ക്രമോചിതമായ

Kannada Meaning: ನಿರಂತರವಾದ, ಹಠಮಾರಿಯಾದ

Synonyms: continuous, sustained, chronic, relentless, enduring

Antonyms: temporary, brief, intermittent, fleeting, sporadic

Usage in Sentence: Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is responsible for almost all cervical cancer cases worldwide.

16. Substantial

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Of considerable importance, size or worth

Tamil Meaning: கணிசமான, முக்கியமான

Malayalam Meaning: ഗണ്യമായ, ഗണ്യപ്പെട്ട

Kannada Meaning: ಗಣನೀಯವಾದ, ಮಹತ್ವದ

Synonyms: considerable, significant, large, meaningful, notable

Antonyms: insignificant, trivial, minor, negligible, small

Usage in Sentence: Several countries have reported substantial reductions in cervical cancer incidence following widespread HPV vaccination.

17. Lesions

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Regions in an organ or tissue

that have suffered damage through injury or disease

Tamil Meaning: காயங்கள், புண்கள்

Malayalam Meaning: മുറിവുകൾ, ക്ഷതങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಗಾಯಗಳು, ಊತಗಳು

Synonyms: wounds, injuries, sores, ulcers, abnormalities

Antonyms: healing, recovery, restoration, repair

Usage in Sentence: Vaccination programmes have led to dramatic reductions in pre-cancerous lesions among adolescent girls.

18. Incidence

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The occurrence, rate or frequency of a disease or other event

Tamil Meaning: நிகழ்வு விகிதம், தாக்க விகிதம்

Malayalam Meaning: ആഘാതനിരക്ക്, സംഭവദര

Kannada Meaning: ಘಟನಾ ದರ, ಹರಡುವಿಕೆ

Synonyms: occurrence, frequency, rate, prevalence, extent

Antonyms: absence, rarity, infrequency, reduction

Usage in Sentence: Widespread HPV vaccination has contributed to a measurable decline in cervical cancer incidence in many countries.

19. Widespread

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Found or distributed over a large area or number of people

Tamil Meaning: பரவலான, விரிவான

Malayalam Meaning: വ്യാപകമായ

Kannada Meaning: ವ್ಯಾಪಕವಾದ

Synonyms: extensive, pervasive, broad, universal, prevalent

Antonyms: limited, localised, narrow, restricted, contained

Usage in Sentence: Widespread vaccination has been identified as the most effective strategy for eliminating cervical cancer.

20. Preventive

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Designed to keep something undesirable such as illness or harm from occurring

Tamil Meaning: தடுப்பு, (நோய்) தடுப்பு

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതിരോധ, തടയൽ

Kannada Meaning: ತಡೆಗಟ್ಟುವ, ರೋಗ ನಿರೋಧಕ

Synonyms: precautionary, protective, prophylactic, deterrent, proactive

Antonyms: curative, reactive, remedial, corrective, therapeutic

Usage in Sentence: Cervical cancer is a rare example where a vaccine has proven to be of exceptional preventive value.

21. Sheer

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Nothing other than; used to emphasise the size, degree or amount of something

Tamil Meaning: முற்றிலும், மிகவும் அதிகமான

Malayalam Meaning: കേവലം, ശുദ്ധമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಕೇವಲ, ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ

Synonyms: utter, complete, absolute, pure, total

Antonyms: partial, slight, moderate, limited, qualified

Usage in Sentence: The sheer burden of cervical cancer in the country makes the HPV vaccination programme an urgent public health priority.

22. Burden

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A load especially a heavy one; a duty or responsibility that causes hardship or difficulty

Tamil Meaning: சுமை, பாரம்

Malayalam Meaning: ഭാരം, ഭാരിച്ച ഉത്തരവാദിത്തം

Kannada Meaning: ಹೊರೆ, ಭಾರ

Synonyms: load, weight, strain, hardship, onus

Antonyms: relief, ease, benefit, advantage, boon

Usage in Sentence: The country shoulders over 65% of the cervical cancer burden in the South-East Asia region.

23. Intervention

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: An action taken to improve a situation especially a medical one

Tamil Meaning: தலையீடு, நடவடிக்கை

Malayalam Meaning: ഇടപെടൽ, നടപടി

Kannada Meaning: ಮಧ್ಯಸ್ಥಿಕೆ, ಹಸ್ತಕ್ಷೇಪ

Synonyms: action, measure, involvement, interference, mediation

Antonyms: inaction, neglect, indifference, withdrawal, abstention

Usage in Sentence: The nationwide HPV vaccination is a critical life-saving intervention given the staggering burden of cervical cancer in the country.

24. Estimated

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Roughly calculated or judged the value, number, quantity or extent of something

Tamil Meaning: மதிப்பிடப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: കണക്കാക്കപ്പെട്ടു

Kannada Meaning: ಅಂದಾಜಿಸಲಾಯಿತು

Synonyms: calculated, approximated, assessed, gauged, projected

Antonyms: measured, confirmed, verified, proved, known

Usage in Sentence: The country had an estimated 127,526 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths from the disease in 2022.

25. Screening

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A process of examination or testing for the presence of disease or other conditions

Tamil Meaning: பரிசோதனை

Malayalam Meaning: പരിശോധന, സ്ക്രീനിംഗ്

Kannada Meaning: ತಪಾಸಣೆ, ಸ್ಕ್ರೀನಿಂಗ್

Synonyms: testing, examination, detection, assessment, evaluation

Antonyms: neglect, ignorance, avoidance, oversight

Usage in Sentence: National screening coverage is alarmingly low, with only 1.9 per cent of women in the target age group being tested.

26. Averred

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Stated or asserted something to be the case in a confident and forceful manner

Tamil Meaning: உறுதிப்படுத்தியது, தெளிவாகக் கூறியது

Malayalam Meaning: ഉറപ്പിച്ചു പറഞ്ഞു

Kannada Meaning: ದೃಢವಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿತು

Synonyms: asserted, declared, affirmed, stated, maintained

Antonyms: denied, refuted, disputed, questioned, doubted

Usage in Sentence: The ICMR investigation averred that the deaths during the HPV trial were most probably unrelated to the vaccine.

27. Certainty

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The quality of being reliably true or of being definitely known

Tamil Meaning: உறுதிப்பாடு, நிச்சயம்

Malayalam Meaning: നിശ്ചിതത, ഉറപ്പ്

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಶ್ಚಿತತೆ, ದೃಢತೆ

Synonyms: sureness, confidence, assurance, conviction, definiteness

Antonyms: uncertainty, doubt, ambiguity, vagueness, hesitation

Usage in Sentence: The investigation noted that the cause of death in the trial cases could not be established with certainty.

28. Flagged

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Drew attention to something; marked something as requiring attention

Tamil Meaning: கவனத்திற்கு கொண்டுவந்தது, குறிப்பிட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: ശ്രദ്ധയിൽ കൊണ്ടുവന്നു

Kannada Meaning: ಗಮನಸೆಳೆಯಿತು

Synonyms: highlighted, identified, marked, signalled, indicated

Antonyms: ignored, overlooked, missed, concealed, dismissed

Usage in Sentence: The ICMR report flagged the need to identify and investigate all adverse events following immunisation.

29. Embark

Part of speech: Verb (third person singular present)

Meaning: Begins a course of action or journey

Tamil Meaning: தொடங்குகிறது, முயற்சி எடுக்கிறது

Malayalam Meaning: ആരംഭിക്കുന്നു

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸುತ್ತದೆ

Synonyms: begins, starts, undertakes, launches, commences

Antonyms: ends, abandons, concludes, withdraws, halts

Usage in Sentence: As the administration embarks on the HPV vaccination programme, transparency and meticulous reporting will be essential.

30. Meticulous

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Showing great attention to detail or being very careful and precise

Tamil Meaning: மிகவும் கவனமான, நுணுக்கமான

Malayalam Meaning: സൂക്ഷ്മതയോടുകൂടിയ, അതിശ്രദ്ധയുള്ള

Kannada Meaning: ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮವಾದ, ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಜಾಗರೂಕ

Synonyms: careful, precise, thorough, scrupulous, diligent

Antonyms: careless, sloppy, negligent, haphazard, reckless

Usage in Sentence: Meticulous reporting of adverse events will be crucial to the success of the country’s HPV vaccination drive.

31. Double down

Part of speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To strengthen one's commitment to a policy or course of action especially one that is controversial or risky

Tamil Meaning: தன் நிலைப்பாட்டை தீவிரப்படுத்துவது

Malayalam Meaning: ഒരു നിലപാടിൽ കൂടുതൽ ദൃഢമാകുക

Kannada Meaning: ತನ್ನ ನಿಲುವನ್ನು ಮತ್ತಷ್ಟು ದೃಢಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು

Synonyms: intensify, reinforce, persist, dig in, stand firm

Antonyms: backtrack, retreat, reconsider, withdraw, concede

Usage in Sentence: The US President chose to double down on divisive policies in his State of the Union address rather than seek bipartisan consensus.

32. Touting

Part of speech: Verb (present participle)

Meaning: Attempting to sell or promote something by persuasion; praising enthusiastically

Tamil Meaning: வலியுறுத்தி பாராட்டுவது, விளம்பரப்படுத்துவது

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രകീർത്തിക്കുക, പ്രചരിപ്പിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಹೊಗಳುವುದು, ಪ್ರಚಾರ ಮಾಡುವುದು

Synonyms: promoting, advertising, praising, advocating, boasting

Antonyms: criticising, disparaging, downplaying, denouncing, condemning

Usage in Sentence: The US President spent much of his address touting the achievements of his second administration to a partisan audience.

33. Divisive

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people

Tamil Meaning: பிரிவினை ஏற்படுத்தும், கலகமூட்டும்

Malayalam Meaning: ഭിന്നത സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಭಿನ್ನಮತ ಉಂಟುಮಾಡುವ

Synonyms: controversial, contentious, polarising, disruptive, fragmenting

Antonyms: unifying, harmonising, reconciling, inclusive, cohesive

Usage in Sentence: The President’s speech focused heavily on divisive issues such as immigration and tariffs rather than areas of national consensus.

34. Polarising

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Causing people to separate into opposing groups based on contrasting opinions

Tamil Meaning: வேறுபாடு ஏற்படுத்தும், துருவமுனையாக்கும்

Malayalam Meaning: ധ്രുവീകരണം ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಧ್ರುವೀಕರಣಗೊಳಿಸುವ

Synonyms: divisive, contentious, splitting, controversial, antagonising

Antonyms: unifying, consensus-building, integrating, reconciling, inclusive

Usage in Sentence: Immigration policy remains one of the most polarising issues in the country’s politics today.

35. Immigration

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country

Tamil Meaning: குடியேற்றம், புலம்பெயர்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: കുടിയേറ്റം

Kannada Meaning: ವಲಸೆ, ಅಭಿವಾಸ

Synonyms: migration, resettlement, relocation, movement, influx

Antonyms: emigration, departure, exodus, repatriation, expulsion

Usage in Sentence: Immigration policy was one of the most prominent themes in the President’s State of the Union address.

36. Fraught

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Causing or affected by great anxiety or stress; filled with something undesirable

Tamil Meaning: பதட்டமான, கவலையான

Malayalam Meaning: ആശങ്കനിറഞ്ഞ, സംഘർഷഭരിതം

Kannada Meaning: ಆತಂಕಭರಿತ, ಒತ್ತಡದಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದ

Synonyms: tense, stressful, troubled, charged, laden

Antonyms: calm, peaceful, relaxed, untroubled, serene

Usage in Sentence: The State of the Union address came at a fraught moment for the White House, days after a major Supreme Court ruling.

37. Struck down

Part of speech: Phrasal verb (past tense)

Meaning: Officially declared something to be illegal or invalid

Tamil Meaning: செல்லாது என அறிவித்தது, ரத்து செய்தது

Malayalam Meaning: റദ്ദാക്കി, അസാധുവാക്കി

Kannada Meaning: ರದ್ದುಗೊಳಿಸಿತು

Synonyms: invalidated, overturned, nullified, revoked, repealed

Antonyms: upheld, affirmed, endorsed, validated, approved

Usage in Sentence: The Supreme Court struck down the administration's use of emergency powers to impose broad tariffs on trading partners.

38. Slam

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To criticise severely; to impose something forcefully and suddenly

Tamil Meaning: கடுமையாக விமர்சிக்க, திடீரென திணிக்க

Malayalam Meaning: ശക്തമായി വിമർശിക്കുക, ഒറ്റയടിക്ക് ചുമത്തുക

Kannada Meaning: ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಟೀಕಿಸು, ಹಠಾತ್ ಹೇರು

Synonyms: impose, levy, hit, slap, burden

Antonyms: remove, lift, waive, reduce, relieve

Usage in Sentence: The administration sought to slam a broad range of trading partners with punitive tariffs using emergency powers.

39. Swathe

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A broad strip or area of something

Tamil Meaning: பரந்த பகுதி, விரிவான பட்டை

Malayalam Meaning: വിശാലമായ ഒരു ഭാഗം

Kannada Meaning: ವಿಶಾಲ ಭಾಗ, ವಿಸ್ತಾರ

Synonyms: stretch, expanse, strip, tract, band

Antonyms: point, spot, narrowness, edge

Usage in Sentence: The tariffs were intended to cover a broad swathe of trading partners including close allies and major economies.

40. Punitive

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Inflicting or intended as punishment; excessively high

Tamil Meaning: தண்டனை நோக்கமுடைய, கடுமையான

Malayalam Meaning: ശിക്ഷാർഹമായ, ശിക്ഷണ സ്വഭാവമുള്ള

Kannada Meaning: ಶಿಕ್ಷಾತ್ಮಕ, ದಂಡನಾ ಸ್ವರೂಪದ

Synonyms: penal, disciplinary, harsh, severe, retaliatory

Antonyms: lenient, mild, rewarding, incentivising, accommodating

Usage in Sentence: The imposition of punitive tariffs on trading partners drew immediate legal challenges and international condemnation.

41. Undaunted

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger or disappointment

Tamil Meaning: தைரியமான, துணிவான

Malayalam Meaning: അഭയം ഇല്ലാത്ത, ധൈര്യശാലി

Kannada Meaning: ಧೈರ್ಯಶಾಲಿ, ಅಂಜದ

Synonyms: fearless, resolute, determined, bold, unfazed

Antonyms: intimidated, deterred, discouraged, afraid, hesitant

Usage in Sentence: Apparently undaunted by the Supreme Court ruling, the US President publicly dismissed it as merely unfortunate.

42. Disdain

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt

Tamil Meaning: இகழ்ச்சி, அவமதிப்பு

Malayalam Meaning: നിന്ദ, അവജ്ഞ

Kannada Meaning: ತಿರಸ್ಕಾರ, ನಿಂದೆ

Synonyms: contempt, scorn, disrespect, derision, condescension

Antonyms: respect, admiration, esteem, regard, reverence

Usage in Sentence: His remarks on social media hinted at disdain for the court's ruling, which he described as unfortunate.

43. Contrary

Part of speech: Noun / Adjective

Meaning: The opposite; opposite in nature, direction or meaning

Tamil Meaning: எதிரான, மாறான

Malayalam Meaning: വിരുദ്ധം, നേർ വിപരീതം

Kannada Meaning: ವಿರುದ್ಧ, ಉಲ್ಟಾ

Synonyms: opposite, contradictory, conflicting, inverse, reverse

Antonyms: similar, consistent, agreeable, concordant, aligned

Usage in Sentence: The US President argued that tariff revenues were saving the country, speaking against evidence to the contrary.

44. Burgeoning

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing

Tamil Meaning: வேகமாக வளர்ந்துவரும், பெருகும்

Malayalam Meaning: അതിവേഗം വളരുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ವೇಗವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ

Synonyms: growing, escalating, expanding, mushrooming, swelling

Antonyms: shrinking, declining, contracting, reducing, diminishing

Usage in Sentence: Critics pointed to the burgeoning public debt as evidence that the administration's economic claims were misleading.

45. Alluding

Part of speech: Verb (present participle)

Meaning: Suggesting or indirectly referring to something

Tamil Meaning: மறைமுகமாக குறிப்பிடுவது

Malayalam Meaning: പരോക്ഷമായി പരാമർശിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಪರೋಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸುವುದು

Synonyms: referring, hinting, suggesting, implying, mentioning

Antonyms: ignoring, overlooking, specifying, addressing, declaring

Usage in Sentence: The US President neatly avoided alluding to the deaths caused during ICE raids, glossing over the agency's controversial actions.

46. Heavy handed

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Dealing with something in a stern or oppressive manner; using excessive force or authority

Tamil Meaning: அதிகாரமிக்க, கடுமையான

Malayalam Meaning: അതിരൂക്ഷമായ, ഭീകരമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಅತಿ ಕಠಿಣ, ಒರಟಾದ

Synonyms: oppressive, harsh, overbearing, forceful, domineering

Antonyms: gentle, restrained, tactful, measured, lenient

Usage in Sentence: The agency's heavy-handed actions during immigration raids drew widespread criticism from civil liberties groups.

47. Crackdown

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A series of severe measures taken against something undesirable or illegal

Tamil Meaning: கடும் நடவடிக்கை

Malayalam Meaning: കടുത്ത നടപടി

Kannada Meaning: ಕಠಿಣ ಕ್ರಮ

Synonyms: clampdown, suppression, enforcement, clamping, purge

Antonyms: leniency, tolerance, permissiveness, relaxation, indulgence

Usage in Sentence: The United States’ built up its military presence in the region following Tehran's crackdown on protesters.

48. Modus vivendi

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: An arrangement or agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully, often temporary

Tamil Meaning: சமரச ஏற்பாடு, இணக்கமான வழி

Malayalam Meaning: ഒത്തുതീർപ്പ് ക്രമം

Kannada Meaning: ರಾಜಿ ಏರ್ಪಾಡು

Synonyms: compromise, accommodation, agreement, settlement, understanding

Antonyms: conflict, confrontation, hostility, discord, deadlock

Usage in Sentence: Despite his tough rhetoric, the US President hinted at the possibility of a modus vivendi with Iran through diplomacy.

49. Echoed

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Was reminiscent of or similar to; repeated or reflected a sound, idea or sentiment

Tamil Meaning: எதிரொலித்தது, ஒத்திருந்தது

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതിധ്വനിച്ചു, ആവർത്തിച്ചു

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತಿಧ್ವನಿಸಿತು

Synonyms: reflected, mirrored, repeated, resembled, recalled

Antonyms: contradicted, differed, departed, diverged, opposed

Usage in Sentence: The US President’s State of the Union address echoed his campaign speeches, focusing on applause lines rather than policy substance.

50. Plummeting

Part of speech: Verb (present participle)

Meaning: Falling or dropping sharply and rapidly

Tamil Meaning: கடுமையாக வீழ்ச்சியடைவது

Malayalam Meaning: കുത്തനെ ഇടിയുക

Kannada Meaning: ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ಕುಸಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ

Synonyms: nosediving, tumbling, declining, collapsing, dropping

Antonyms: soaring, rising, surging, climbing, increasing

Usage in Sentence: The US President described prices as plummeting, though economists suggested the decline was more gradual than his rhetoric implied.

51. Exaggeration

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A statement that represents something as better, worse or more intense than it really is

Tamil Meaning: மிகைப்படுத்தல், அதிகமாக சொல்வது

Malayalam Meaning: അതിശയോക്തി

Kannada Meaning: ಅತಿಶಯೋಕ್ತಿ

Synonyms: overstatement, embellishment, hyperbole, magnification, inflation

Antonyms: understatement, accuracy, precision, truth, moderation

Usage in Sentence: Describing inflation as plummeting struck many observers as an exaggeration given the modest pace of price decline.

52. Predecessor

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A person who held a job or office before the current holder; a thing that has been followed or replaced by another

Tamil Meaning: முன்னோடி, முன்பதவியாளர்

Malayalam Meaning: മുൻഗാമി

Kannada Meaning: ಪೂರ್ವಜ, ಹಿಂದಿನ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ

Synonyms: forerunner, antecedent, precursor, former holder, earlier occupant

Antonyms: successor, replacement, follower, heir, inheritor

Usage in Sentence: It was under his predecessor that inflation came off its peak, a fact the US President chose not to acknowledge.

53. Disenchanted

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Disappointed and disillusioned; having lost one's enthusiasm or idealism

Tamil Meaning: மோசமடைந்த, ஏமாற்றமடைந்த

Malayalam Meaning: നിരാശരായ, ഭ്രമം തീർന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಭ್ರಮನಿರಸನಗೊಂಡ

Synonyms: disillusioned, disappointed, dissatisfied, cynical, jaded

Antonyms: enthusiastic, hopeful, satisfied, optimistic, inspired

Usage in Sentence: Opinion polls suggest that most Americans are disenchanted with the current administration's tariff policy and its economic consequences.

54. Escalating

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Increasing rapidly in intensity, severity or amount

Tamil Meaning: அதிகரிக்கும், தீவிரமடையும்

Malayalam Meaning: വർദ്ധിക്കുന്ന, കൂടിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಹೆಚ್ಚುತ್ತಿರುವ, ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣವಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ

Synonyms: increasing, rising, intensifying, mounting, worsening

Antonyms: decreasing, declining, reducing, easing, de-escalating

Usage in Sentence: Voters are deeply concerned about the cost-escalating pressure that tariffs are placing on everyday goods.

55. Perceived

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Regarded as or thought to be in a particular way, whether accurately or not

Tamil Meaning: கருதப்பட்ட, உணரப்பட்ட

Malayalam Meaning: അനുഭവപ്പെട്ട, കരുതപ്പെടുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ, ತಿಳಿದ

Synonyms: regarded, seen, understood, interpreted, considered

Antonyms: ignored, overlooked, disregarded, unnoticed, misunderstood

Usage in Sentence: The perceived involvement of the leader in the financial scandal has added to public scepticism about his administration.

56. Upbeat

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Cheerful, optimistic and positive in tone or outlook

Tamil Meaning: உற்சாகமான, நம்பிக்கையான

Malayalam Meaning: ആശാവഹമായ, ഉത്സാഹഭരിതം

Kannada Meaning: ಉತ್ಸಾಹಭರಿತ, ಆಶಾವಾದಿ

Synonyms: optimistic, cheerful, positive, encouraging, buoyant

Antonyms: pessimistic, downbeat, gloomy, sombre, despondent

Usage in Sentence: An upbeat address may energise loyal supporters but is unlikely to change ground realities for ordinary citizens.

57. Galvanise

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Shock or excite someone into taking action; stimulate into activity

Tamil Meaning: உத்வேகமூட்டுவது, தூண்டுவது

Malayalam Meaning: ഉത്തേജിപ്പിക്കുക, ഉദ്ദീപിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರೇರೇಪಿಸು, ಉತ್ತೇಜಿಸು

Synonyms: stimulate, motivate, inspire, energise, spur

Antonyms: demotivate, discourage, dampen, deter, dishearten

Usage in Sentence: A rousing address may galvanise the party faithful, but tangible improvements in living standards are what voters ultimately seek.

Idiom of the Day: 26 February 2026

Rack Your Brain

Formal / Neutral

Meaning: To think very hard, often with sustained effort, in order to recall information or solve a difficult problem.

Explanation of the Idiom:

The idiom ‘Rack Your Brain’ conveys the image of subjecting the mind to intense strain, as though it were being stretched or tightened under pressure. Here, rack functions as a verb meaning to cause stress or exertion, historically linked to mechanisms that applied force or tension.

When applied to thinking, the phrase captures the mental labour involved in searching memory, weighing possibilities or untangling complex ideas.

Emerging in English usage by the early modern period, this idiom has endured because it succinctly describes a familiar cognitive experience, the frustration and focus that accompany difficult recall or problem-solving.

Today, this idiom appears frequently in academic writing, journalism, business discourse and everyday conversation, especially when solutions are not immediately apparent.

Example Sentences:

She racked her brains for hours, trying to remember the professor’s precise wording from the lecture.

The committee racked its brain to device a policy that balanced growth with environmental responsibility.

He racked his brain during the interview, searching for an example that demonstrated genuine leadership.

With today’s Daily Editorial Vocabulary Analysis from Veranda RACE on 26 February 2026, you've learned 50+ powerful English vocabulary words with their meaning, meaning in English, meaning in Tamil, meaning in Kannada, meaning in Malayalam, synonyms, antonyms and example sentences.

Through Veranda RACE’s ‘Idiom of the Day’ series you learned the idiom ‘Rack Your Brain’ by understanding its meaning, explanation, origin and practical usage.

With example sentences and common use cases, this Idiom of the Day section from Veranda RACE helped you strengthen your vocabulary and use idiomatic expressions effectively in both writing and conversation.

Consistent practice with vocabulary and idiom of the day like these builds every day not just your word bank but also sharpens your comprehension and expression for competitive exams and real-world communication.

Keep reading, keep learning English with Veranda RACE! 💪📖

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