The Daily Editorial Analysis – English Vocabulary Building – 19 January 2026

Learn English Vocabulary – Daily Editorial Analysis – 19 January 2026

This blog post by Veranda RACE helps competitive exam aspirants learn 40+ 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 January 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 IBPS RRB PO Mains, IBPS RRB Clerk Mains, 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 – 19 January 2026

1. Vowed

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Made a serious promise or pledge to do something

Tamil Meaning: உறுதியளித்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതിജ്ഞ ചെയ്യുക

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತಿಜ್ಞೆ ಮಾಡು

Synonyms: Pledged, promised, swore, committed, undertook

Antonyms: Broke promise, reneged, retracted, withdrew

Usage in Sentence: The administration vowed to implement stringent measures against corruption in public institutions.

2. Raft

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A large number or collection of things

Tamil Meaning: பலவகையான

Malayalam Meaning: വിവിധ

Kannada Meaning: ವಿವಿಧ

Synonyms: Collection, batch, bundle, heap, mass

Antonyms: Few, scarcity, handful, paucity

Usage in Sentence: The committee introduced a raft of educational reforms to improve learning outcomes.

3. Acquire

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To gain possession of something through effort or purchase

Tamil Meaning: பெறுதல் / தேடிப்பெறுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: നേടുക

Kannada Meaning: ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳು

Synonyms: Obtain, gain, procure, secure, attain

Antonyms: Lose, forfeit, relinquish, surrender, dispose

Usage in Sentence: Universities must acquire modern equipment to facilitate advanced research.

4. Imposed

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Forced or placed a burden, tax or regulation upon someone

Tamil Meaning: விதித்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: ചുമത്തുക

Kannada Meaning: ಹೇರು

Synonyms: Levied, enforced, inflicted, applied, decreed

Antonyms: Removed, lifted, withdrew, rescinded, abolished

Usage in Sentence: The regulatory authority imposed strict penalties on institutions failing to meet quality standards.

5. Reconnaissance

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features

Tamil Meaning: உளவு பார்த்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: രഹസ്യപര്യവേക്ഷണം

Kannada Meaning: ವಿಚಾರಣೆ

Synonyms: Survey, exploration, inspection, observation, scouting

Antonyms: Ignorance, neglect, withdrawal, retreat

Usage in Sentence: The troops conducted a reconnaissance mission before establishing their position in the border area.

6. Reinforce

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To strengthen or support something, making it more effective

Tamil Meaning: வலுப்படுத்துதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഉറപ്പിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಬಲಪಡಿಸು

Synonyms: Strengthen, fortify, bolster, support, consolidate

Antonyms: Weaken, undermine, diminish, reduce, impair

Usage in Sentence: Regular assessments reinforce the learning process and improve student performance.

7. Autonomous

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Having self-governance or independence in decision-making

Tamil Meaning: தன்னாட்சி / தனித்தியங்குதல்

Malayalam Meaning: സ്വയംഭരണാധികാരമുള്ള

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ವಾಯತ್ತ

Synonyms: Independent, self-governing, sovereign, free, self-ruling

Antonyms: Dependent, subordinate, controlled, governed, subject

Usage in Sentence: The university functions as an autonomous institution with its own governing council.

8. Emphasis

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Special importance or prominence given to something

Tamil Meaning: வலியுறுத்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഊന്നൽ

Kannada Meaning: ಒತ್ತು

Synonyms: Stress, importance, weight, focus, priority

Antonyms: De-emphasis, neglect, understatement, minimisation, disregard

Usage in Sentence: The new policy places emphasis on skill development and practical training.

9. Stemming

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Originating or arising from a particular source

Tamil Meaning: உருவாகுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഉത്ഭവിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಉದ್ಭವಿಸು

Synonyms: Arising, originating, deriving, emanating, resulting

Antonyms: Ending, concluding, terminating, ceasing, stopping

Usage in Sentence: The challenges stemming from inadequate infrastructure need immediate attention.

10. Intervention

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The action of becoming involved in a situation to alter or improve it

Tamil Meaning: தலையீடு

Malayalam Meaning: ഇടപെടൽ

Kannada Meaning: ಹಸ್ತಕ್ಷೇಪ

Synonyms: Involvement, interference, mediation, intercession, intrusion

Antonyms: Non-intervention, withdrawal, abstention, inaction, detachment

Usage in Sentence: Timely intervention by counsellors can prevent student distress from escalating.

11. Neo-imperialist

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Relating to a new form of imperialism, especially economic or political control over other nations

Tamil Meaning: புதிய ஏகாதிபத்திய

Malayalam Meaning: നവസാമ്രാജ്യത്വ

Kannada Meaning: ನವಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯಶಾಹಿ

Synonyms: Imperialistic, colonial, expansionist, domineering, hegemonistic

Antonyms: Anti-imperialist, egalitarian, cooperative, independent, sovereign

Usage in Sentence: The neo-imperialist approach to international relations undermines global cooperation.

12. Impulse

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A sudden strong desire or inclination to act

Tamil Meaning: உந்துதல்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രേരണ

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಚೋದನೆ

Synonyms: Urge, drive, instinct, inclination, compulsion

Antonyms: Restraint, deliberation, forethought, calculation, consideration

Usage in Sentence: Acting on impulse without proper planning can lead to poor policy decisions.

13. Implicit

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Implied or understood without being directly stated

Tamil Meaning: மறைமுகமான / உள்ளர்த்தமுள்ள

Malayalam Meaning: പരോക്ഷമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಪರೋಕ್ಷ

Synonyms: Implied, suggested, inferred, tacit, indirect

Antonyms: Explicit, stated, direct, clear, expressed

Usage in Sentence: There was an implicit understanding that quality education requires adequate funding.

14. Non-allied

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Not aligned or associated with a particular group or alliance

Tamil Meaning: கூட்டணி இல்லாத

Malayalam Meaning: സഖ്യരഹിത

Kannada Meaning: ಮೈತ್ರಿರಹಿತ

Synonyms: Unaligned, neutral, independent, non-aligned, dissociated

Antonyms: Allied, aligned, associated, affiliated, partnered

Usage in Sentence: The non-allied nations maintained neutrality during the geopolitical crisis.

15. Bully

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To intimidate or coerce someone through threats or force

Tamil Meaning: பயமுறுத்துதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഭീഷണിപ്പെടുത്തുക

Kannada Meaning: ಬೆದರಿಸು

Synonyms: Intimidate, coerce, threaten, harass, browbeat

Antonyms: Encourage, support, comfort, assist, defend

Usage in Sentence: Institutions must ensure that senior students do not bully junior students.

16. Tantamount

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Equivalent in seriousness or effect to something else

Tamil Meaning: சமமானது

Malayalam Meaning: തുല്യമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಸಮಾನವಾದ

Synonyms: Equivalent, equal, identical, synonymous, comparable

Antonyms: Different, unequal, dissimilar, opposite, contrary

Usage in Sentence: Ignoring student welfare is tantamount to neglecting the future of the nation.

17. Degrading

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Causing a decline in quality, value or condition

Tamil Meaning: தரம் குறைத்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: തകർക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಅವನತಿ ತರು

Synonyms: Deteriorating, weakening, diminishing, eroding, worsening

Antonyms: Improving, enhancing, upgrading, elevating, strengthening

Usage in Sentence: Years of neglect are degrading the quality of public higher education institutions.

18. Unilateral

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Performed by or affecting only one person, group or country without agreement from others

Tamil Meaning: ஒருதலைப்பட்சமான

Malayalam Meaning: ഏകപക്ഷീയമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಏಕಪಕ್ಷೀಯ

Synonyms: One-sided, independent, autonomous, solo, individual

Antonyms: Bilateral, multilateral, mutual, collective, joint

Usage in Sentence: The unilateral decision to change admission criteria was criticised by stakeholders.

19. Anti-coercion

Part of speech: Noun/Adjective

Meaning: Opposition to or defence against forceful pressure or threats

Tamil Meaning: கட்டாயத்திற்கு எதிரான

Malayalam Meaning: നിർബന്ധത്തിനെതിരായ

Kannada Meaning: ಬಲವಂತದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ

Synonyms: Anti-pressure, counter-force, resistance, opposition, defence

Antonyms: Coercion, pressure, compulsion, force, intimidation

Usage in Sentence: The anti-coercion mechanism protects smaller nations from unfair trade practices.

20. Rift

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A serious break or division in friendly relations

Tamil Meaning: பிளவு

Malayalam Meaning: വിഭജനം

Kannada Meaning: ಬಿರುಕು

Synonyms: Division, split, breach, rupture, discord

Antonyms: Unity, harmony, agreement, reconciliation, accord

Usage in Sentence: The policy differences created a rift between the faculty and administration.

21. Beset

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Troubled persistently or surrounded by difficulties

Tamil Meaning: சூழப்பட்ட

Malayalam Meaning: വലയം ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട

Kannada Meaning: ಸುತ್ತುವರೆದ

Synonyms: Plagued, troubled, afflicted, harassed, surrounded

Antonyms: Aided, helped, assisted, freed, liberated

Usage in Sentence: The university system is beset with challenges ranging from faculty shortages to inadequate funding.

22. Depredations

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Acts of attacking or plundering; destructive actions

Tamil Meaning: அழிவுகள்

Malayalam Meaning: നശീകരണങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ವಿನಾಶಗಳು

Synonyms: Ravages, destruction, plunder, pillage, devastation

Antonyms: Protection, preservation, construction, restoration, conservation

Usage in Sentence: The education system suffered from the depredations of years of policy neglect.

23. Enlightened

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Having or showing a rational, modern and well-informed outlook

Tamil Meaning: அறிவொளி பெற்ற

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രബുദ്ധമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಬುದ್ಧ

Synonyms: Informed, educated, aware, progressive, knowledgeable

Antonyms: Ignorant, unenlightened, uninformed, backward, narrow-minded

Usage in Sentence: Enlightened policies are needed to transform the higher education sector.

24. Massification

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The process of making something accessible to large numbers of people

Tamil Meaning: பெருமளவாக்கம் / தெளிவான

Malayalam Meaning: ബഹുജനവൽക്കരണം

Kannada Meaning: ಸಮೂಹೀಕರಣ

Synonyms: Democratisation, popularisation, expansion, universalisation, proliferation

Antonyms: Elitisation, restriction, limitation, exclusion, confinement

Usage in Sentence: The massification of higher education has increased enrolment but raised concerns about quality.

25. Commensurate

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Corresponding in size, extent or degree; proportionate

Tamil Meaning: ஒத்த

Malayalam Meaning: ആനുപാതികമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಅನುಗುಣವಾದ

Synonyms: Proportionate, equivalent, corresponding, appropriate, adequate

Antonyms: Disproportionate, inadequate, insufficient, unequal, inappropriate

Usage in Sentence: Faculty salaries should be commensurate with their qualifications and experience.

26. Distress

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain

Tamil Meaning: துயரம்

Malayalam Meaning: വിഷമം

Kannada Meaning: ಸಂಕಷ್ಟ

Synonyms: Anguish, suffering, grief, misery, torment

Antonyms: Comfort, relief, happiness, contentment, ease

Usage in Sentence: Student distress arising from academic pressure requires immediate counselling support.

27. Directives

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Official instructions or orders

Tamil Meaning: உத்தரவுகள்

Malayalam Meaning: നിർദേശങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ನಿರ್ದೇಶನಗಳು

Synonyms: Instructions, orders, commands, mandates, decrees

Antonyms: Suggestions, requests, recommendations, proposals, appeals

Usage in Sentence: The court issued directives to fill all vacant faculty positions within six months.

28. Premier

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: First in importance, order or position; leading

Tamil Meaning: முதன்மையான

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രമുഖമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಮುಖ

Synonyms: Leading, foremost, principal, chief, primary

Antonyms: Secondary, minor, inferior, subordinate, lesser

Usage in Sentence: The University of Madras is the premier institution for higher education in Tamil Nadu.

29. Stellar

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Exceptionally good; outstanding

Tamil Meaning: சிறப்பான

Malayalam Meaning: മികച്ച

Kannada Meaning: ಉತ್ತಮ

Synonyms: Outstanding, excellent, exceptional, brilliant, superior

Antonyms: Poor, mediocre, inferior, average, substandard

Usage in Sentence: Tamil Nadu has a stellar record in promoting women's education.

30. Storied

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Celebrated in or associated with stories or history; famous

Tamil Meaning: புகழ்பெற்ற

Malayalam Meaning: ചരിത്രപ്രസിദ്ധമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ

Synonyms: Legendary, famed, celebrated, renowned, historic

Antonyms: Unknown, obscure, unremarkable, undistinguished, anonymous

Usage in Sentence: The university's storied legacy in research has attracted scholars from across the country.

31. Legacy

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Something handed down from the past; an inherited tradition or accomplishment

Tamil Meaning: மரபு

Malayalam Meaning: പാരമ്പര്യം

Kannada Meaning: ಪರಂಪರೆ

Synonyms: Heritage, inheritance, tradition, bequest, endowment

Antonyms: Innovation, modernity, novelty, break, departure

Usage in Sentence: The institution's legacy of academic excellence continues to inspire current students.

32. Pronounced

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Very noticeable or marked; definite

Tamil Meaning: தெளிவான

Malayalam Meaning: വ്യക്തമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ

Synonyms: Marked, noticeable, distinct, evident, conspicuous

Antonyms: Subtle, slight, imperceptible, unclear, faint

Usage in Sentence: The decline in research output has been pronounced over the last decade.

33. Boasts

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Possesses or has something worth being proud of

Tamil Meaning: பெருமைப்படுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: അഭിമാനിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಪಡು

Synonyms: Possesses, features, exhibits, displays, contains

Antonyms: Lacks, wants, needs, requires, misses

Usage in Sentence: The university boasts of several centres for advanced studies in various disciplines.

34. Leverage

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To use something to maximum advantage

Tamil Meaning: பயன்படுத்துதல்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്തുക

Kannada Meaning: ಬಳಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳು

Synonyms: Utilise, exploit, use, harness, employ

Antonyms: Waste, squander, neglect, ignore, misuse

Usage in Sentence: The administration should leverage research from public universities for policy formulation.

35. Shrift

Part of speech: Noun (used in idiom "short shrift")

Meaning: Little attention or consideration

Tamil Meaning: சிறிய கவனம்

Malayalam Meaning: കുറഞ്ഞ ശ്രദ്ധ

Kannada Meaning: ಕಡಿಮೆ ಗಮನ

Synonyms: Attention, consideration, regard, notice, care

Antonyms: Attention, priority, importance, focus, emphasis

Usage in Sentence: Research in public universities has been given short shrift by policymakers.

36. Stalled

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Stopped or delayed the progress of something

Tamil Meaning: தடைப்படுத்தப்பட்ட

Malayalam Meaning: തടഞ്ഞ

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾದ

Synonyms: Delayed, halted, obstructed, impeded, hindered

Antonyms: Advanced, progressed, expedited, facilitated, accelerated

Usage in Sentence: Vice-Chancellor appointments have been stalled due to administrative conflicts.

37. Recalcitrant

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Stubbornly resistant to authority or control

Tamil Meaning: அடங்காத

Malayalam Meaning: അനുസരണക്കേടുള്ള

Kannada Meaning: ಹಠಮಾರಿ

Synonyms: Obstinate, defiant, uncooperative, stubborn, rebellious

Antonyms: Cooperative, compliant, obedient, amenable, submissive

Usage in Sentence: The recalcitrant attitude of officials has hampered educational reforms.

38. Ambiguity

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; lack of clarity

Tamil Meaning: தெளிவின்மை

Malayalam Meaning: അവ്യക്തത

Kannada Meaning: ಅಸ್ಪಷ್ಟತೆ

Synonyms: Uncertainty, vagueness, obscurity, doubt, equivocation

Antonyms: Clarity, certainty, precision, definiteness, explicitness

Usage in Sentence: The ambiguity in the appointment process has led to prolonged vacancies.

39. Daunting

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Seeming difficult to deal with; intimidating

Tamil Meaning: அச்சுறுத்தும்

Malayalam Meaning: ഭയപ്പെടുത്തുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಭಯಹುಟ್ಟಿಸುವ

Synonyms: Intimidating, formidable, challenging, discouraging, overwhelming

Antonyms: Encouraging, easy, simple, manageable, reassuring

Usage in Sentence: While the task appears daunting, systematic planning can ensure its completion.

40. Robust

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Strong and healthy; vigorous

Tamil Meaning: வலுவான

Malayalam Meaning: ശക്തമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಬಲವಾದ

Synonyms: Strong, sturdy, vigorous, sound, resilient

Antonyms: Weak, fragile, feeble, delicate, frail

Usage in Sentence: A robust public higher education system is essential for national development.

41. Aspired

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Directed one's hopes or ambitions towards achieving something

Tamil Meaning: நாடுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ആഗ്രഹിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಆಶಿಸು

Synonyms: Aimed, desired, sought, pursued, strived

Antonyms: Abandoned, rejected, renounced, surrendered, relinquished

Usage in Sentence: Goals such as Viksit Bharat can only be aspired for with quality education.

Idiom of the Day: 19 January 2026

A Shadow of One’s Former Self

Formal / Neutral

Meaning: A person or institution that has declined significantly in strength, influence, ability or reputation compared to what it once was.

Explanation of the Idiom:

The idiom ‘a shadow of one’s former self’ evokes the haunting image of a figure reduced to a faint outline of its past presence. A shadow, by nature, lacks substance, weight and vitality, much like a person or organisation that has lost its former power, brilliance or stature.

Rooted in classic literary tradition and widely used in English since the 18^th century, this phrase reflects a universal human experience: decline. Whether brought on by age, illness, defeat, scandal or misfortune, this transformation from strength to fragility is both visible and deeply emotional.

In modern usage, this idiom appears frequently in political commentary, sports journalism, cultural criticism and personal narratives.

Example Sentences:

Once a dominant political force, the party is now a shadow of its former self.

After years of mismanagement, the startup became a shadow of its former self.

The legendary cricketer, slowed by injuries, is now a shadow of his former self.

Age and illness have left the celebrated professor a shadow of his former self.

With today’s Editorial Vocabulary Analysis from 19 January 2026, you've learned 40+ 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 ‘A Shadow of One’s Former Self’ 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.

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