The Daily Editorial Analysis – English Vocabulary Building – 27 January 2026

Learn English Vocabulary – Daily Editorial Analysis – 27 January 2026

This blog post by Veranda RACE helps competitive exam aspirants learn 45+ 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 – 27 January 2026

1. Emphasis

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Special importance, prominence or prominence given to something; stress laid on a particular word or idea.

Tamil Meaning: முக்கியத்துவம், வலியுறுத்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: ഊന്നം, പ്രാധാന്യം

Kannada Meaning: ಒತ್ತೆ, ಮುಖ್ಯತೆ

Synonyms: Stress, prominence, importance, accent, weight, accentuation

Antonyms: Understatement, de-emphasis, minimisation, downplay

Usage in Sentence: The President's emphasis on self-reliance reflected the administration’s commitment to reducing the country’s dependence on foreign imports.

2. Self-reliance

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The quality of being able to do things independently without depending on others; self-sufficiency.

Tamil Meaning: சுயசார்புநிலை

Malayalam Meaning: സ്വതന്ത്രത

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರತೆ

Synonyms: Independence, self-sufficiency, autonomy, self-reliant nature, self-support

Antonyms: Dependence, reliance, subordination, helplessness

Usage in Sentence: The country’s journey towards self-reliance in defence technology has been accelerated by significant indigenous research and development initiatives.

3. Fractious

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Prone to irritability or rebellion; quarrelsome, difficult to manage, prone to discord or dissension.

Tamil Meaning: சீற்றமான, சண்டை ஆயத்தமான

Malayalam Meaning: കോപാകുലനായ, വഷ്ടതയുള്ള

Kannada Meaning: ಕೋಪಾತುರನಾದ, ಶಲ್ಯವಾದ

Synonyms: Quarrelsome, irritable, contentious, belligerent, petulant, cantankerous

Antonyms: Peaceful, harmonious, cooperative, docile, amenable, tranquil

Usage in Sentence: In a fractious world marked by geopolitical tensions, the country has positioned itself as a messenger of peace and stability.

4. Unifying

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Serving to unite or bring together; causing unity or cohesion among diverse groups or entities.

Tamil Meaning: ஒன்றிணைக்கிற, பொதுமையான

Malayalam Meaning: ഐക്യത്തിലേക്ക് നയിക്കുന്ന, ഏകീകരിക്കുന്ന

Kannada Meaning: ಏಕೀಕರಣದ, ಸಂಯೋಜನೆಯ

Synonyms: Uniting, cohesive, integrating, consolidating, binding, harmonising

Antonyms: Divisive, separating, fragmenting, disuniting, splitting

Usage in Sentence: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's unifying efforts during the integration brought together over 500 princely states into a single nation.

5. Hailed

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Greeted or welcomed enthusiastically; acclaimed or praised publicly; called out to someone.

Tamil Meaning: வாழ்த்துதல், புகழ்ந்து பேசுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്തു, പ്രശംസിച്ചു

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ವಾಗತಿಸಿದ, ಹೊಗಳಿದ

Synonyms: Praised, acclaimed, welcomed, applauded, cheered,

commended

Antonyms: Criticised, condemned, denounced, disparaged, censured

Usage in Sentence: The international community hailed the military operation as a significant step in combating terrorism and protecting national security.

6. Precision

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The quality of being exact and accurate; careful attention to detail; the degree of exactness in measurement or performance.

Tamil Meaning: துல்லியம்

Malayalam Meaning: കൃത്യത

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಕಟತೆ

Synonyms: Accuracy, exactness, accuracy, meticulousness, accuracy, specificity

Antonyms: Imprecision, vagueness, inaccuracy, carelessness, approximation

Usage in Sentence: The success of the military operation demonstrated the military's precision in executing targeted strikes against terrorist infrastructure.

7. Credited

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Acknowledged or attributed success or responsibility to someone; ascribed or assigned to a particular source.

Tamil Meaning: காரணமாக கூறுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: കടപ്പാട്

Kannada Meaning: ಗುಣಲಕ್ಷಣ

Synonyms: Attributed, ascribed, assigned, acknowledged, accredited

Antonyms: Discredited, blamed, disparaged, denied, disowned

Usage in Sentence: The President credited the country’s growing self-reliance in defence to sustained investment in indigenous research and development programmes.

8. Commended

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Praised or expressed approval for someone's actions or qualities; recommended something favourably.

Tamil Meaning: பாராட்டப்பட்டது, புகழ்ந்து சொல்லப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രശംസിച്ചു, അനുകൂലമായി പരാമർശിച്ചു

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರশಂಸಿಸಲಾದ, ಹೊಗಳಲಾದ

Synonyms: Praised, complimented, applauded, congratulated, extolled

Antonyms: Criticised, condemned, disparaged, rebuked, reproached

Usage in Sentence: The President commended the implementation of economic reforms such as the GST, which has simplified the tax structure significantly.

9. Strides

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Long steps or the distance covered by a long step; significant progress or advancement made in achieving a goal.

Tamil Meaning: பெரிய அடிகள், வெற்றி, முன்னேற்றம்

Malayalam Meaning: വലിയ ചുവടുകൾ, മുന്നേറ്റം

Kannada Meaning: ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆಗಳು, ಪ್ರಗತಿ

Synonyms: Progress, advancement, improvements, developments, leaps, headway

Antonyms: Regression, setback, decline, retreat, stagnation

Usage in Sentence: The country’s women have made remarkable strides in diverse fields ranging from agriculture to space exploration over the past decades.

10. Invoked

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Called upon or appealed to for support; brought into being or action; cited as an authority or justification.

Tamil Meaning: பிரயோகித்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: അപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നു

Kannada Meaning: ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ

Synonyms: Called upon, appealed to, summoned, cited, referenced, evoked

Antonyms: Dismissed, ignored, discarded, rejected, disregarded

Usage in Sentence: The President invoked the idea of constitutional nationalism to remind citizens of the founding principles of the Republic.

11. Nationalism

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The belief in and promotion of the national interests of a country; patriotic feeling or political movement based on the promotion of national unity.

Tamil Meaning: தேசிய உணர்வு

Malayalam Meaning: ദേശീയ ബോധം

Kannada Meaning: ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆ

Synonyms: Patriotism, national identity, national pride

Antonyms: Internationalism, cosmopolitanism, globalism

Usage in Sentence: Constitutional nationalism emphasises the shared values and ideals enshrined in the Constitution rather than ethnic or religious identity.

12. Ideals

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Principles or values that are considered perfect or worthy of being aimed at; standards of excellence or virtue.

Tamil Meaning: சிந்தனைகள், இலக்குகள், நோக்கங்கள்

Malayalam Meaning: ആദ്ധ്യങ്ങൾ, സിദ്ധാന്തങ്ങൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಆದರ್ಶಗಳು, ನಿಕೇತನಗಳು

Synonyms: Principles, values, standards, aspirations, principles, beliefs

Antonyms: Realities, practicalities, actualities, concrete facts

Usage in Sentence: The Constitution embodies the ideals of equality, freedom and justice that form the foundation of democratic governance.

13. Cataloguing

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Making a systematic list of items or achievements; recording details methodically; enumerating or itemising.

Tamil Meaning: பட்டியல் இடல், பதிவு செய்தல்

Malayalam Meaning: കാലഭാഗങ്ങൾ കാണിച്ചുതരല്, പട്ടികാഭിലേഖം പ്രസിദ്ധമാക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಮಾಡುವುದು, ತಾಲಿಕೆ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ

Synonyms: Listing, documenting, recording, itemising, enumerating, registering

Antonyms: Omitting, excluding, skipping, ignoring, disregarding

Usage in Sentence: While cataloguing the achievements of the country is motivating, the state must not overlook the persistent struggles of its citizens.

14. Self-reflection

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The examination or consideration of one's own thoughts, feelings, actions and motivations; introspection and critical self-assessment.

Tamil Meaning: தன்னை ஆய்வு செய்தல், தன்னினையாய்வு

Malayalam Meaning: സ്വയംപരിശോധന, ആത്മബോധം

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ವ-ಆಲೋಚನೆ, ಆತ್ಮಚಿಂತನೆ

Synonyms: Introspection, self-examination, self-assessment, soul-searching, contemplation

Antonyms: Complacency, heedlessness, negligence, carelessness, indifference

Usage in Sentence: Republic Day celebrations require self-reflection on whether the principles of the Constitution are being upheld in practice.

15. Paeans

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Songs of praise, triumph or exultation; expressions of high praise or commendation; celebrations of achievement.

Tamil Meaning: புகழ்ச்சிப்பாடல்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രശംസാഗീതം, വിജയഗീതം

Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಶಂಸೆಯ ಹಾಡು, ವಿಜಯಗೀತೆ

Synonyms: Praises, tributes, accolades, eulogies, celebrations, encomiums

Antonyms: Condemnations, censures, criticisms, reproaches, denunciations

Usage in Sentence: While singing paeans to the Constitution is customary, delivering on its principles is a far more challenging task.

16. Posture

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The position or carriage of the body; an attitude or stance towards something; a way of behaving or presenting oneself.

Tamil Meaning: நிலை, அசைவு, நடத்தை

Malayalam Meaning: സ്ഥാനം, മനോഭാവം, നിലപാട്

Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ಥಾನ, ಭಾವನೆ, ನಿಲುವು

Synonyms: Position, stance, attitude, bearing, demeanour, carriage

Antonyms: Looseness, flexibility, informality, spontaneity

Usage in Sentence: The state's self-congratulatory posture, as reflected in official speeches, must not cause it to ignore the genuine hardships faced by citizens.

17. Citizenry

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The citizens of a country or state collectively; the body politic; the general public or population of a nation.

Tamil Meaning: குடிமக்கள், மக்கள், ஜனத்தொகை

Malayalam Meaning: പൌരന്മാരെ, നാട്ടുകാരെ, പ്രജകൾ

Kannada Meaning: ಪೌರಜನ, ನಿವಾಸಿಗಳು, ಜನಾಂಗ

Synonyms: Citizens, populace, inhabitants, public, population, subjects

Antonyms: Outsiders, foreigners, aliens, non-residents, expatriates

Usage in Sentence: The struggles of the citizenry persist despite the growth, suggesting that principles require stronger implementation.

18. Ruse

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: A stratagem or trick employed to deceive or mislead; a deceptive device or subterfuge used to gain advantage.

Tamil Meaning: வஞ்சனை, ஏய்ப்பு

Malayalam Meaning: കൗശലം, തന്ത്രം

Kannada Meaning: ಕೌಶಲ್ಯ, ತಂತ್ರ

Synonyms: Trick, deception, stratagem, subterfuge, ploy, artifice

Antonyms: Honesty, candour, frankness, transparency, openness, sincerity

Usage in Sentence: Civilisational pride should not become a ruse to overshadow the pressing material questions that ordinary citizens face daily.

19. Overshadow

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To cast a shadow over; to make something appear less important or prominent; to dominate or surpass in significance.

Tamil Meaning: நிழலாகி நின்றது, மறைத்தது

Malayalam Meaning: ഛായ പതിപ്പിക്കുക, മുഖ്യത്വം തരാതെ വയ്ക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ನೆರಳಾಗಿ ನಿನ್ನುವುದು, ಮುಖ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಹಾಕುವುದು

Synonyms: Obscure, overshadow, outshine, eclipse, diminish, undermine

Antonyms: Highlight, illuminate, emphasise, enhance, promote, foreground

Usage in Sentence: The achievements in military defence cannot overshadow the urgent need to address poverty and healthcare gaps.

20. Sectarian

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Relating to or concerning a sect or denomination; narrow-minded or prejudiced in the promotion of a particular group's interests.

Tamil Meaning: பிரிவினை சம்பந்தமான

Malayalam Meaning: സമുദായ സിദ്ധാന്തം

Kannada Meaning: ಪಂಥ ಸಂಬಂಧಿ

Synonyms: Denominational, factional, partisan, divisive, insular, parochial

Antonyms: Secular, universal, inclusive, ecumenical, non-partisan, impartial

Usage in Sentence: Sectarian politics threatens to undermine the constitutional values of equality and justice that bind the nation together.

21. Federal

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Relating to a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent states; concerning the union of states.

Tamil Meaning: கூட்டாட்சி சம்பந்தமான

Malayalam Meaning: കേന്ദ്രീയ അധികാരം സംബന്ധിയായ

Kannada Meaning: ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ವಾಧಿಕಾರ ಸಂಬಂಧೀ

Synonyms: Federative, confederate, centralised, decentralised (in some contexts), union-based

Antonyms: Unitary, centralised, monolithic, absolute, authoritarian

Usage in Sentence: The weakening of the federal character, where constituent states lose autonomy, poses a threat to constitutional democracy.

22. Undermine

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To weaken or damage from within; to gradually reduce the strength or effectiveness of something; to erode the foundation of.

Tamil Meaning: பலவீனமாக்குதல்

Malayalam Meaning: ദുർബലപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു

Kannada Meaning: ದುರ್ಬಲಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದೆ

Synonyms: Weaken, erode, damage, compromise, sabotage, subvert

Antonyms: Strengthen, reinforce, support, bolster, fortify, enhance

Usage in Sentence: Corruption and sectarian politics undermine the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and erode public trust in institutions.

23. Demographic

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Relating to the study of human populations; concerning the structure and vital statistics of a population.

Tamil Meaning: மக்கள் தொகை சம்பந்தமான

Malayalam Meaning: ജനസംഖ്യ സംബന്ധിയായ

Kannada Meaning: ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಸಂಬಂಧೀ

Synonyms: Population-related, statistical, vital, census-based, population-based

Antonyms: Individual, personal, non-statistical, qualitative

Usage in Sentence: The country’s demographic dividend, once a major advantage, is now giving way to significant variations across states with uneven demographic transitions.

24. Transition

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The process of changing from one state, form, or condition to another; a period of transformation or passage.

Tamil Meaning: மாற்றம், பரிணாமம், மாறுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: പരിവർത്തനം, രൂപാന്തരണം

Kannada Meaning: ರೂಪಾಂತರ, ಪರಿವರ್ತನೆ

Synonyms: Change, transformation, shift, metamorphosis, conversion, passage

Antonyms: Stasis, stability, constancy, continuity, permanence, immobility

Usage in Sentence: The demographic transition varies significantly across states, with southern states ageing rapidly while northern states maintain younger populations.

25. Ageing

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Becoming old or growing older; advancing in age; characterised by the presence of a large elderly population.

Tamil Meaning: வயதாகுதல், பழையதாகுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: പ്രായപൂര്ണനാകുക, പഴയതാകുക

Kannada Meaning: ವಯಸ್ಸಾದ, ಸ್ಥೂಲವಾದ

Synonyms: Elderly, old, mature, senescent, aged, advancing in years

Antonyms: Young, youthful, juvenile, fresh, new, emerging

Usage in Sentence: The southern states will become ageing states by 2036 as their elderly populations exceed 20 per cent, creating new fiscal and social challenges.

26. Rationalise

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To make something more efficient or logical; to reorganise or streamline; to justify or explain away using reason or logic.

Tamil Meaning: நியாயப்படுத்துவது, ஒழுங்குப்படுத்துவது

Malayalam Meaning: യുക്തിവത്കരിക്കുക, കാരണമെഴുതുക

Kannada Meaning: ತರ್ಕಸಂಗತವಾಗಿಸುವುದು, ನ್ಯಾಯಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ನೀಡುವುದು

Synonyms: Streamline, justify, reorganise, optimise, explain, logicalise

Antonyms: Complicate, obfuscate, disorganise, confuse, obscure

Usage in Sentence: The Central Bank advised ageing states to rationalise their subsidies to manage the rising costs of pensions for expanding elderly populations.

27. Subsidies

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Financial assistance or grants provided by the government to individuals or organisations; support payments to reduce costs or prices.

Tamil Meaning: மானியம், உதவி, நிதி ஆதரவு

Malayalam Meaning: സബ്സിഡി, സരാജ്ഞ സാധനങ്ങളുടെ വില കുറയ്ക്കലാണ്

Kannada Meaning: ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ, ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಸಹಾಯ

Synonyms: Grants, allowances, assistance, subventions, support payments

Antonyms: Taxes, duties, levies, charges, fees

Usage in Sentence: Southern states with ageing populations must carefully rationalise subsidies on food and electricity to accommodate rising pension expenditures.

28. Afford

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To have enough money or resources to pay for something; to be able to bear the cost of; to manage or provide.

Tamil Meaning: செலவு செய்ய முடிவது, தாங்கி நிற்பது

Malayalam Meaning: ചെലവ് വരുത്താൻ സാധ്യത ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കുക, കഴിക്കുക

Kannada Meaning: ನೀಡಲು, ಪರವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಶ್ರಮಿಸುವುದು

Synonyms: Manage, bear, provide, supply, give, yield

Antonyms: Deny, refuse, withhold, deprive, exclude

Usage in Sentence: Ageing states will struggle to afford the rising pension costs unless they significantly reform their fiscal structures and revenue sources.

29. Fiscal

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Relating to government revenue, finance, and financial matters; concerning the treasury or public funds.

Tamil Meaning: நிதி சம்பந்தமான

Malayalam Meaning: സാമ്പത്തികം

Kannada Meaning: ಆರ್ಥಿಕ

Synonyms: Financial, monetary, budgetary, economic, treasury-related

Antonyms: Non-financial, fiscal, commercial, economic

Usage in Sentence: The Central Bank’s fiscal advice to states must consider the political dimensions and constraints they face in implementing revenue reforms.

30. Undertones

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: Subtle suggestions or implications underlying a statement; underlying tone or meaning not explicitly stated; hidden emotional currents.

Tamil Meaning: மறைந்த பொருள், குறிப்பான சொற்கள், ஆழ்ந்த கருத்து

Malayalam Meaning: കോശ പരാമര്ശം, അടിസ്ഥാന ഉദ്ദേശ്യം, ഗൂഢാര്ഥം

Kannada Meaning: ಗುಪ್ತ ಸಂಕೇತ, ಆಂತರಿಕ ಅರ್ಥ, ಅಡಗಿದ ಸೂಚನೆ

Synonyms: Implications, suggestions, hints, innuendos, overtones, subtle meanings

Antonyms: Explicit statements, clear meanings, direct statements, obviousness, surface meanings

Usage in Sentence: The political undertones of demographic policy are significant as southern states risk losing central funding due to their controlled population growth.

31. Tamed

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Brought under control or subdued; made docile or manageable; reduced in intensity or force.

Tamil Meaning: அடக்கப்பட்டது

Malayalam Meaning: നിയന്ത്രിച്ചു

Kannada Meaning: ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಿದ

Synonyms: Subdued, controlled, conquered, mastered, restrained, domesticated

Antonyms: Unleashed, uncontrolled, wild, untamed, released, unchecked

Usage in Sentence: Southern states have successfully tamed population growth through effective family planning programmes, now facing unexpected fiscal consequences.

32. Devolution

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The transfer or delegation of power from a higher authority to lower authorities; the passing down of responsibility or control.

Tamil Meaning: அதிகார மாற்றம்

Malayalam Meaning: അധികാര മാറ്റം

Kannada Meaning: ಅಧಿಕಾರದ ಬದಲಾವಣೆ

Synonyms: Transfer, delegation, decentralisation, conferment, distribution

Antonyms: Centralisation, concentration, retention, consolidation

Usage in Sentence: The Finance Commission's formula for tax devolution to states based on population weights favours larger northern states over southern ones.

33. Populous

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Containing or characterised by a large population; densely inhabited; having many inhabitants.

Tamil Meaning: மக்கள் நெருக்கம் நிறைந்த

Malayalam Meaning: തിങ്ങിനിറഞ്ഞു

Kannada Meaning: ಕಿಕ್ಕಿರಿದು ತುಂಬಿದೆ

Synonyms: Densely populated, heavily populated, populous, teeming, crowded

Antonyms: Sparsely populated, underpopulated, thinly populated, deserted

Usage in Sentence: The Finance Commission's population-based formula in the devolution mechanism advantages populous northern states at the expense of southern regions.

34. Delimitation

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The process of determining the boundaries or limits of something, especially electoral constituencies; the fixing of borders or divisions.

Tamil Meaning: எல்லை நிர்ணயம்

Malayalam Meaning: അതിര്വരമ്പ് നിശ്ചയം

Kannada Meaning: ಗಡಿಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸುವುದು

Synonyms: Boundary-setting, demarcation, definition, specification of limits

Antonyms: Expansion, broadening, generalisation, extension, enlargement

Usage in Sentence: The upcoming delimitation exercise will further reduce parliamentary representation for southern states with lower population growth rates.

35. Stagnated

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: Ceased to develop or progress; became inactive or dormant; remained at a low or unchanged level for an extended period.

Tamil Meaning: நகர்வில்லாமல் நின்றது

Malayalam Meaning: നില്കുന്നതായി മാറി, നിശ്ചലമായിത്തീര്ന്നു

Kannada Meaning: ಭರವಸೆ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾದೆ

Synonyms: Stalled, plateaued, ceased, stopped progressing, languished, remained static

Antonyms: Progressed, advanced, developed, improved, flourished, increased

Usage in Sentence: The share of public spending on education in youthful states has stagnated or declined, threatening their long-term human capital development.

36. Vulnerable

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Susceptible to harm, damage or attack; exposed to the possibility of being hurt or damaged; lacking protection or defence.

Tamil Meaning: பாதிக்கப்படக் கூடிய, பாதுக்காப்பு இல்லாத

Malayalam Meaning: ആക്രമണത്തിന് വിധേയമായ, സംരക്ഷണയര്ഹതയില്ലാത്ത

Kannada Meaning: ಸುರಕ್ಷೆಯಿಲ್ಲದ, ಆಘಾತಕ್ಕೆ ಅಗ್ರಾಹ್ಯ

Synonyms: Susceptible, exposed, defenceless, unprotected, weak, at risk

Antonyms: Protected, secure, invulnerable, safe, fortified, defended

Usage in Sentence: Youthful states may become vulnerable to premature ageing if they fail to create adequate employment opportunities in new economic sectors.

37. Disproportionately

Part of speech: Adverb

Meaning: In a way that is not fair, balanced or proportionate; to a greater degree than is expected or appropriate; unequally.

Tamil Meaning: சமவிகிதமாகாமல், அசமவிகிதமாக

Malayalam Meaning: അനുപാതമില്ലാതെ, പര്യാപ്തമല്ലാതെ, ന്യായമായിയല്ല

Kannada Meaning: ಸಮಾನುಪಾತವಿಲ್ಲದೆ, ಬಹುಮಾತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಅನ್ಯಾಯವಾಗಿ

Synonyms: Unequally, unevenly, excessively, unfairly, inequitably, imbalancedly

Antonyms: Proportionately, equally, fairly, justly, equitably, evenly

Usage in Sentence: Ageing in the country disproportionately affects women, who tend to live longer but often lack financial assets and pension coverage.

38. En-masse

Part of speech: Adverb

Meaning: In a large group or body all at once; collectively as a whole; in large numbers together.

Tamil Meaning: கூட்டாக, பெருமாறாக, கூட்ட முறையில்

Malayalam Meaning: കൂട്ടത്തോടെ, കണക്കില്ലാതെ, സമൂഹിക്കപ്പെട്ട്

Kannada Meaning: ಸಮೂಹವಾಗಿ, ಕೂಟೋಪಧಿಸೆ, ಬಹುಮಾತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ

Synonyms: In large numbers, collectively, as a group, together, in bulk

Antonyms: Individually, separately, piecemeal, one by one, gradually

Usage in Sentence: A new industrial policy is required to create jobs en-masse in emerging sectors such as green energy and the care economy.

39. Graceful

Part of speech: Adjective

Meaning: Characterised by elegance, poise or dignified beauty; performed with ease and smoothness; tactful and considerate in manner.

Tamil Meaning: அழகான, உயர்ந்த, நாணயமான

Malayalam Meaning: സുന്ദരമായ, ഗാംഭീര്യമുള്ള, വിനയമുള്ള

Kannada Meaning: ಸುಂದರವಾದ, ನೀತಿಶೀಲವಾದ, ಶೋಭನೀಯವಾದ

Synonyms: Elegant, refined, dignified, polished, suave, courteous

Antonyms: Ungraceful, awkward, clumsy, impolite, rude, uncouth

Usage in Sentence: For most of the country’s elderly population, the future appears far less like graceful ageing and more like financial dependency without expanded social pensions.

40. Contradicts

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To assert the opposite of something already stated; to deny or go against; to be in conflict with or inconsistent with.

Tamil Meaning: எதிர்வாதம் செய்தல், வேறு கருத்து சொல்லுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: നിഷേധിക്കുക, വിരുദ്ധമാണെന്ന് പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കുക, വിപരീതമാണ്

Kannada Meaning: ಖಂಡಿಸುವುದು, ವಿರುದ್ಧವಾಗಿರುವುದು, ನಿರಾಕರಿಸುವುದು

Synonyms: Denies, opposes, disputes, conflicts with, challenges, refutes

Antonyms: Confirms, agrees, supports, corroborates, validates, affirms

Usage in Sentence: Expanding social pensions directly contradicts the central bank’s recommendation for fiscal consolidation and budgetary restraint.

41. Consolidation

Part of speech: Noun

Meaning: The process of combining separate things into a single, unified whole; making something stronger or more secure; reduction of debt or liabilities.

Tamil Meaning: ஒன்றுபடுதல், இறுதிப்படுத்துதல், பலப்படுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: സംഘട്ടനം, കടപോരിണം കൂട്ടിച്ചേര്ക്കല്, ദൃഢীകരണം

Kannada Meaning: ಏಕೀಕರಣ, ಶಕ್ತಿಶಾಲೀ ಪದ್ಧತಿ, ಸಮೃದ್ಧ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ

Synonyms: Merger, unification, strengthening, stabilisation, combination, integration

Antonyms: Fragmentation, separation, dissolution, disintegration, division, weakening

Usage in Sentence: Fiscal consolidation, while important for long-term stability, must be balanced with investments in pensions and geriatric care for the elderly.

42. Envisions

Part of speech: Verb

Meaning: To picture or imagine something in the mind; to conceive of or visualise; to foresee or anticipate.

Tamil Meaning: கற்பனை செய்தல், நினைத்துக்கொள்ளுதல்

Malayalam Meaning: സങ്കല്പിക്കുക, ദൃശ്യമാനമാക്കുക, ഭാവനാരൂപം നൽകുക

Kannada Meaning: ಕಲ್ಪನೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು, ಊಹೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು, ಮುಂದೋಗಡೆ ನೋಡುವುದು

Synonyms: Imagines, visualises, foresees, conceives, pictures, envisions

Antonyms: Ignores, overlooks, dismisses, disregards, denies

Usage in Sentence: The central bank report envisions graceful ageing as a realistic outcome, but this remains available only to the wealthy without massive public geriatric expansion.

Idiom of the Day: 27 January 2026

Double Whammy

Formal / Neutral

Meaning: A situation in which two serious problems, setbacks or negative effects occurs simultaneously, intensifying the overall impact.

Explanation of the Idiom:

The idiom ‘double whammy’ conveys the idea of being hit twice by misfortune or disadvantage, often when one blow would have been difficult to manage. The word ‘whammy’ originated in early 20^th century American slang, initially referring to a powerful punch or a harmful spell.

Over time, this idiom evolved into a broader metaphor for any forceful or damaging event. When paired with ‘double’, the phrase emphasises compounding harm, two interlined setbacks that reinforce each other rather than occurring in isolation.

In contemporary usage, the term ‘double whammy’ appears frequently in journalism, economics, politics, health reporting and everyday discourse.

It is commonly used to describe moments when economic stress coincides with policy failure, when personal loss is accompanies by professional hardship or when natural disasters trigger secondary crises.

Example Sentences:

Rising fuel prices and shrinking wages delivered a double whammy to middle-class households.

The company faced a double whammy when regulatory fines coincided with declining consumer trust and falling revenues.

For coastal communities, climate change brings a double whammy of stronger storms and steady rising sea levels.

With today’s Editorial Vocabulary Analysis from 27 January 2026, you've learned 45+ 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 ‘Double Whammy’ 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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