The Daily Editorial Analysis – English Vocabulary Building – 21 January 2026

Learn English Vocabulary – Daily Editorial Analysis – 21 January 2026

This blog post by Veranda RACE helps competitive exam aspirants learn 35+ 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 – 21 January 2026

1. Prudent

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future; wise and sensible in practical matters

Tamil Meaning: விவேகமான

Malayalam Meaning: വിവേകപൂർണ്ണമായ

Kannada Meaning: ವಿವೇಕಯುತ

Synonyms: wise, sensible, judicious, cautious, careful, discreet, sagacious

Antonyms: imprudent, rash, careless, foolish, reckless, unwise

Usage in Sentence: It is prudent to verify all documents before submitting the application to avoid rejection.

2. Dragnet

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A systematic and extensive search or investigation; a net drawn through water or across ground to trap fish or game

Tamil Meaning: விரிவான வலை

Malayalam Meaning: വിപുലമായ അന്വേഷണം

Kannada Meaning: ವ್ಯಾಪಕ ತನಿಖೆ

Synonyms: sweep, search, investigation, manhunt, roundup

Antonyms: targeted search, selective investigation

Usage in Sentence: The police launched a dragnet operation across the city to apprehend the suspects.

3. Genuine

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Truly what something is said to be; authentic; sincere and honest

Tamil Meaning: உண்மையான

Malayalam Meaning: യഥാർത്ഥമായ

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಜವಾದ

Synonyms: authentic, real, true, legitimate, bona fide, sincere

Antonyms: fake, false, spurious, counterfeit, fraudulent

Usage in Sentence: The election commission must ensure that genuine voters are not removed from the electoral rolls.

4. Flawed

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Having defects or imperfections; faulty

Tamil Meaning: குறைபாடுள்ள

Malayalam Meaning: വികലമായ

Kannada Meaning: ದೋಷಪೂರಿತ

Synonyms: defective, faulty, imperfect, erroneous, deficient

Antonyms: flawless, perfect, impeccable, faultless

Usage in Sentence: The verification process was flawed due to outdated data and technical errors.

5. Mapping

Part of speech: Noun (gerund/verbal noun)

Meaning: The process of making a map or establishing a relationship between sets of information

Tamil Meaning: வரைபடமாக்கல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഭൂപടനിർമ്മാണം

Kannada Meaning: ನಕ್ಷೆ ರಚನೆ

Synonyms: charting, plotting, surveying, delineation

Antonyms: unmapping, disconnection

Usage in Sentence: The mapping of voter data to historical records revealed numerous discrepancies.

6. Glitches

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Sudden malfunctions or faults in a system or machine; minor problems or defects

Tamil Meaning: (தொழில்நுட்ப) பிழைகள்

Malayalam Meaning: സാങ്കേതിക പിശകുകൾ

Kannada Meaning: ತಾಂತ್ರಿಕ ದೋಷಗಳು

Synonyms: faults, malfunctions, errors, bugs, hitches, snags

Antonyms: perfections, smooth operations

Usage in Sentence: Software glitches in the registration system caused delays in processing applications.

7. Ad-hoc

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary; not planned in advance

Tamil Meaning: குறிப்பிட்ட நோக்கத்திற்காக

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രത്യേക ആവശ്യത്തിനായി

Kannada Meaning: ವಿಶೇಷ ಉದ್ದೇಶಕ್ಕಾಗಿ

Synonyms: improvised, makeshift, temporary, impromptu, expedient

Antonyms: planned, systematic, permanent, established

Usage in Sentence: The use of ad-hoc software without proper testing led to numerous technical issues.

8. Succour

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Assistance and support in times of hardship and distress

Tamil Meaning: உதவிசெய்

Malayalam Meaning: സഹായം

Kannada Meaning: ಸಹಾಯ

Synonyms: relief, aid, help, assistance, support, comfort

Antonyms: hindrance, obstruction, harm

Usage in Sentence: The court's decision provided succour to millions of voters facing difficulties.

9. Egregious

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Outstandingly bad; shocking; remarkably bad or unacceptable

Tamil Meaning: மிகவும் மோசமான

Malayalam Meaning: അതിഗുരുതരമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಕೆಟ್ಟ

Synonyms: shocking, appalling, terrible, flagrant, outrageous, glaring

Antonyms: slight, minor, acceptable, tolerable

Usage in Sentence: The deletion of more women than men from the electoral rolls represents an egregious anomaly.

10. Anomaly

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Something that deviates from what is standard, normal or expected

Tamil Meaning: முரண்பாடு

Malayalam Meaning: അസാധാരണത

Kannada Meaning: ಅಸಂಗತತೆ

Synonyms: irregularity, deviation, aberration, inconsistency, oddity

Antonyms: normality, regularity, conformity, standard

Usage in Sentence: The statistical anomaly in voter deletions raised serious questions about the process.

11. Merited

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Deserved or warranted; worthy of being given something

Tamil Meaning: தகுதியானது

Malayalam Meaning: അർഹിച്ചു

Kannada Meaning: ಅರ್ಹವಾದ

Synonyms: deserved, warranted, justified, earned, entitled

Antonyms: undeserved, unwarranted, unjustified

Usage in Sentence: The irregularities in the deletion process merited immediate investigation by authorities.

12. Aggressive

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Pursuing aims forcefully, sometimes unduly so; vigorous or determined

Tamil Meaning: தீவிரமான

Malayalam Meaning: ആക്രമണാത്മകമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಆಕ್ರಮಣಕಾರಿ

Synonyms: forceful, vigorous, assertive, intensive, harsh

Antonyms: passive, gentle, mild, moderate

Usage in Sentence: The aggressive deletion of voter names has affected thousands of legitimate electors.

13. Deduplicating

Part of speech: Verb (present participle/gerund)

Meaning: The process of removing duplicate entries or records from a database or list

Tamil Meaning: நகல்களை நீக்குதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഡ്യൂപ്ലിക്കേറ്റുകൾ നീക്കം ചെയ്യൽ

Kannada Meaning: ನಕಲುಗಳನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಹಾಕುವುದು

Synonyms: removing duplicates, eliminating copies, consolidating

Antonyms: duplicating, copying, replicating

Usage in Sentence: The process of deduplicating voter records inadvertently removed many genuine entries.

14. Incomprehensible

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Not able to be understood; not intelligible

Tamil Meaning: புரிந்துகொள்ள முடியாத

Malayalam Meaning: മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ കഴിയാത്ത

Kannada Meaning: ಅರ್ಥವಾಗದ

Synonyms: unintelligible, baffling, perplexing, inexplicable, mystifying

Antonyms: comprehensible, understandable, clear, intelligible

Usage in Sentence: The mismatch between state and central electoral counts is incomprehensible and demands explanation.

15. Mismatch

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A failure to correspond or match; a discrepancy

Tamil Meaning: பொருந்தாமை

Malayalam Meaning: പൊരുത്തക്കേട്

Kannada Meaning: ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆಯಿಲ್ಲದಿರುವಿಕೆ

Synonyms: discrepancy, inconsistency, disparity, incongruity, variance

Antonyms: match, correspondence, alignment, harmony

Usage in Sentence: The mismatch in voter numbers between different electoral bodies raises serious concerns.

16. Self-enumeration

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The act of counting or listing oneself; the process where individuals register themselves

Tamil Meaning: சுய பதிவு

Malayalam Meaning: സ്വയം രജിസ്റ്റർ ചെയ്യൽ

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ವಯಂ ನೋಂದಣಿ

Synonyms: self-registration, self-listing, self-counting

Antonyms: external enumeration, official registration

Usage in Sentence: The aggressive self-enumeration process has led to the exclusion of many legitimate voters.

17. Fallout

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The adverse results or effects of a situation or action

Tamil Meaning: பின்விளைவுகள்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതികൂല ഫലങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತಿಕೂಲ ಫಲಿತಾಂಶಗಳು

Synonyms: consequences, aftermath, repercussions, effects, results

Antonyms: cause, origin, precursor

Usage in Sentence: The administration is now managing the fallout of its poorly planned electoral revision process.

18. Scrubbed

Part of speech: Verb (past participle)

Meaning: Removed or deleted thoroughly; cancelled or eliminated

Tamil Meaning: நீக்கப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: നീക്കം ചെയ്തു

Kannada Meaning: ತೆಗೆದುಹಾಕಲಾಯಿತು

Synonyms: removed, deleted, erased, eliminated, expunged

Antonyms: added, included, retained, preserved

Usage in Sentence: Thousands of genuine voters have been scrubbed off the electoral rolls without proper verification.

19. Far-reaching

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Having important and widely applicable effects or implications

Tamil Meaning: தொலைநோக்கு

Malayalam Meaning: ദൂരവ്യാപകമായ

Kannada Meaning: ದೂರದೃಷ್ಟಿಯ

Synonyms: extensive, comprehensive, wide-ranging, significant, sweeping

Antonyms: limited, narrow, restricted, insignificant

Usage in Sentence: The bilateral meeting resulted in far-reaching agreements on trade and defence cooperation.

20. Outcomes

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The results or effects of an action, situation or process

Tamil Meaning: விளைவுகள்

Malayalam Meaning: ഫലങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಫಲಿತಾಂಶಗಳು

Synonyms: results, consequences, effects, conclusions, products

Antonyms: causes, origins, beginnings

Usage in Sentence: The visit produced several positive outcomes including increased investment commitments.

21. Bilateral

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Involving two parties, countries or sides; affecting both sides

Tamil Meaning: இருதரப்பு

Malayalam Meaning: ഉഭയകക്ഷി

Kannada Meaning: ದ್ವಿಪಕ್ಷೀಯ

Synonyms: two-sided, mutual, reciprocal, joint

Antonyms: unilateral, multilateral, one-sided

Usage in Sentence: The bilateral trade agreement between the two nations aims to double commerce to 200 billion dollars.

22. Strategic

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Relating to the identification of long-term aims and the means of achieving them; carefully designed or planned

Tamil Meaning: செயல்தந்திர

Malayalam Meaning: തന്ത്രപരമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಕಾರ್ಯತಂತ್ರದ

Synonyms: planned, calculated, tactical, deliberate, diplomatic

Antonyms: unplanned, random, tactical (in some contexts), unstrategic

Usage in Sentence: The strategic defence partnership represents a significant shift in regional security dynamics.

23. Amidst

Part of speech: Preposition

Meaning: Surrounded by; in the middle of; during

Tamil Meaning: மத்தியில்

Malayalam Meaning: നടുവിൽ

Kannada Meaning: ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ

Synonyms: amid, among, surrounded by, during, in the midst of

Antonyms: outside, beyond, away from

Usage in Sentence: The diplomatic visit occurred amidst rising tensions between regional powers.

24. Heightened

Part of speech: Adjective (past participle used as adjective)

Meaning: Increased or intensified; made more intense or extreme

Tamil Meaning: அதிகரித்த

Malayalam Meaning: വർധിപ്പിച്ച

Kannada Meaning: ಹೆಚ್ಚಿದ

Synonyms: increased, intensified, elevated, enhanced, escalated

Antonyms: reduced, decreased, diminished, lowered

Usage in Sentence: Heightened security concerns have prompted closer cooperation between neighbouring countries.

25. Coalition

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: An alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties

Tamil Meaning: கூட்டணி

Malayalam Meaning: സഖ്യം

Kannada Meaning: ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ

Synonyms: alliance, union, partnership, confederation, bloc

Antonyms: separation, division, opposition, rivalry

Usage in Sentence: The military coalition was formed to address regional security threats.

26. Uprising

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: An act of resistance or rebellion; a revolt

Tamil Meaning: எழுச்சி

Malayalam Meaning: കലാപം

Kannada Meaning: ದಂಗೆ

Synonyms: rebellion, revolt, insurrection, mutiny, insurgency

Antonyms: peace, submission, obedience, compliance

Usage in Sentence: The uprising led to significant political changes in the region.

27. Tussle

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A vigorous struggle or scuffle; a conflict or dispute

Tamil Meaning: போராட்டம்

Malayalam Meaning: പോരാട്ടം

Kannada Meaning: ಹೋರಾಟ

Synonyms: struggle, conflict, fight, dispute, contest

Antonyms: agreement, peace, harmony, cooperation

Usage in Sentence: The power tussle between the two nations has affected regional stability.

28. Intensified

Part of speech: Verb (past tense)

Meaning: Became or made more intense or extreme; increased in strength or degree

Tamil Meaning: தீவிரப்படுத்தப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: തീവ്രമാക്കി

Kannada Meaning: ತೀವ್ರಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಯಿತು

Synonyms: escalated, heightened, strengthened, amplified, deepened

Antonyms: reduced, decreased, weakened, diminished

Usage in Sentence: Competition between regional powers has intensified over access to strategic resources.

29. Intervene

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To come between disputing parties; to take action to improve a situation

Tamil Meaning: தலையிடுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഇടപെടുക

Kannada Meaning: ಮಧ್ಯಪ್ರವೇಶ

Synonyms: interfere, intercede, mediate, step in, involve oneself

Antonyms: abstain, withdraw, ignore, avoid

Usage in Sentence: Several countries threatened to intervene in the regional conflict.

30. Tenuous

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Very weak or slight; insubstantial or flimsy

Tamil Meaning: பலவீனமான

Malayalam Meaning: ദുർബലമായ

Kannada Meaning: ದುರ್ಬಲವಾದ

Synonyms: fragile, weak, flimsy, insubstantial, shaky, precarious

Antonyms: strong, substantial, solid, secure, stable

Usage in Sentence: The tenuous ceasefire could collapse at any moment without proper international support.

31. Instability

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Lack of stability; the state of being unstable or unpredictable

Tamil Meaning: நிலையற்ற தன்மை

Malayalam Meaning: അസ്ഥിരത

Kannada Meaning: ಅಸ್ಥಿರತೆ

Synonyms: volatility, uncertainty, unpredictability, insecurity, turbulence

Antonyms: stability, steadiness, security, constancy

Usage in Sentence: Regional instability has affected trade routes and investment flows.

32. Portend

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To be a sign or warning that something, especially something bad, will happen

Tamil Meaning: குறிக்கிறது

Malayalam Meaning: സൂചിപ്പിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಸೂಚಿಸುತ್ತದೆ

Synonyms: foreshadow, indicate, presage, augur, forebode, herald

Antonyms: conceal, hide, obscure

Usage in Sentence: These developments portend a more complex security environment for the entire region.

33. Repercussions

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Unintended consequences of an event or action, especially unwelcome ones

Tamil Meaning: விளைவுகள்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രത്യാഘാതങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳು

Synonyms: consequences, effects, ramifications, aftereffects, reverberations

Antonyms: causes, origins, sources

Usage in Sentence: The military pact could have serious repercussions for countries with interests in both regions.

34. Hypothetical

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Based on or involving a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true

Tamil Meaning: கற்பனையான

Malayalam Meaning: സാങ്കൽപ്പികമായ

Kannada Meaning: ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ

Synonyms: theoretical, supposed, assumed, conjectural, speculative

Antonyms: actual, real, factual, concrete, definite

Usage in Sentence: Officials dismissed concerns about involvement in hypothetical future conflicts.

35. Curtailed

Part of speech: Verb (past participle)

Meaning: Reduced in extent or quantity; imposed a restriction on

Tamil Meaning: குறைக்கப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: വെട്ടിക്കുറച്ചു

Kannada Meaning: ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಯಿತು

Synonyms: reduced, limited, restricted, cut back, decreased

Antonyms: extended, expanded, increased, prolonged

Usage in Sentence: International sanctions have curtailed access to alternative energy sources.

36. Imperilled

Part of speech: Verb (past participle)

Meaning: Put at risk of being harmed, injured or destroyed

Tamil Meaning: ஆபத்தில் தள்ளுவது

Malayalam Meaning: അപകടത്തിലായി

Kannada Meaning: ಅಪಾಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಲುಕಿದೆ

Synonyms: endangered, jeopardised, threatened, risked, compromised

Antonyms: protected, safeguarded, secured, preserved

Usage in Sentence: Regional tensions have imperilled major infrastructure and connectivity projects.

37. Faultlines

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Divisions or differences that may cause problems or failure; areas of potential conflict

Tamil Meaning: பிளவுகள்

Malayalam Meaning: വിള്ളലുകൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಬಿರುಕುಗಳು

Synonyms: divisions, rifts, fractures, splits, divides

Antonyms: unity, cohesion, harmony, agreement

Usage in Sentence: Multiple faultlines in the region make diplomatic navigation particularly challenging.

38. Tread

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To walk in a specified way; to proceed or behave in a particular manner

Tamil Meaning: நடத்தல் / செயல்படுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: നടക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ನಡೆಯುವುದು

Synonyms: walk, step, proceed, move, advance

Antonyms: stand still, remain, stay

Usage in Sentence: Given the complex regional dynamics, the country must tread carefully in its diplomatic engagements.

Idiom of the Day: 21 January 2026

Talk Through Your Hat

Formal / Neutral

Meaning: To speak confidently about a subject you know little or nothing about; to make claims without proper knowledge or evidence.

Explanation of the Idiom:

The idiom ‘talk through your hat’ is a sharp, vivid expression used to describe someone who speaks with misplaced confidence, offering opinions or explanations without understanding the subject.

This phrase suggests that the speaker is not really using their head at all, only their hat, implying that their words are empty, hollow and disconnected from reason or expertise.

Its origins can be traced to British and American English of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when the hat symbolised outward appearance rather than intellect.

To speak through one’s hat was to bypass the brain entirely and substitute knowledge with bravado. Over time, this idiom became a concise way of calling out misinformation delivered with conviction.

Example Sentences:

The so-called analyst was clearly talking through his hat while explaining complex global economic trends.

She sounded convincing, but anyone familiar with the subject knew she was talking through her hat.

He spoke with great confidence, yet every expert agreed he was talking through his hat.

With today’s Editorial Vocabulary Analysis from 21 January 2026, you've learned 35+ 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 ‘Talking Through Your Hat’ 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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