By: iftikhar ul Hassan

1. Mar ( to damage or spoil something )

Ex. The game was marred by the drunken fans.
synonyms: spoil/ruin/impair/blemish/mutilate/deface
2. Dissension ( disagreement between people or within a group )
Ex. A man Friday caused dissension within feminist ranks.
synonyms: disagreement/conflict/dispute/strife/discord/contention
(Note: Girl Friday means a girl who is employed in an office to do several jobs, helping other
people. Similarly, man Friday means a man assistant who does many different kinds of work.)
3. Asylum ( protection that a government gives to those people who have left their own country,
usually they were in danger due to political reasons )
Ex. She applied for asylum and was granted refugee status.
synonyms: shelter/protection/safety/sanctuary/security/hideout/foxhole
4. Curtail ( to limit something or make it last for a shorter moment )
Ex. The lecture was curtailed by the fire alarm going off.
synonyms: reduce/cut down/dock/shrink/restrict/curb/chop
5. Evasive ( not willing to give a clear answer to a question )
Ex. John, normally so honest, was now being evasive in the extreme.
synonyms: cagey/elusive/ambiguous/vague/inexplicit/obscure/enigmatic
6. Abject ( terrible and without hope )
Ex. Many such families are living in abject poverty.
synonyms: wretched/miserable/pathetic/forlorn/appalling/atrocious
7. Parochial ( having a narrow or limited outlook or scope )
Ex. They need to purge the parochial attitude.
synonyms: insular/conservative/myopic/hidebound/blinkered
8. Defy ( refuse to obey )
Ex. I couldn't have dared to defy my teachers.
synonyms: disobey/go against/flout/ignore/infringe/breach/violate
9. Excoriate ( to criticize severely )
Ex. Mr. Khan keeps on excoriating the establishment for his seat.
synonyms: criticize/berate/scold/rebuke/keelhaul/objurgate/castigate
10. Affable ( pleasant/friendly and easy to talk )
Ex. I need an affable and jolly spouse.
synonyms: friendly/amiable/warm/pleasant/benevolent/courteous/gracious

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11. Vow ( a formal and serious promise to do something )

Ex. Pakistan, India vow to work together.
synonyms: swear/pledge/confirm/undertake/avow/commit/guarantee
12. Skirmish ( a short fight between small groups of soldiers, especially that's not planned )
Ex. Several people were killed in skirmishes during the night.
synonyms: fight/clash/conflict/encounter/combat/fracas/confrontation
13. Last-ditch ( final attempt to achieve something, when there is no much hope for that )
Ex. His last ditch efforts failed to get the desired thing.
synonyms: last-minute/eleventh hour/last resort/desperate/do or die
14. Expedite ( to make a process happen quickly )
Ex. Govt need to expedite their efforts for polio eradication.
synonyms: accelerate/hasten/quicken/advance/facilitate/stimulate
15. Prerogative ( right exclusive to a particular individual or class )
Ex. In many countries education is still the prerogative of the rich.
synonyms: right/privilege/liberty/dispensation/indemnity/power
16. Discrepancy ( a wide difference between two or more things that should be same )
Ex. There is discrepancy between the boys' and girls' performance in schools.
synonyms: disparity/difference/variance/deviation/mismatch/incongruity
17. Incarcerate ( put to prison or some other place where they can't escape from )
Ex. Thousand of men were incarcerated in labour camps.
synonyms: imprison/jail/confine/detain/lock up/put in chains/hold captive
18. Clamp down ( a sudden action taken in order to stop an illegal activity )
Ex. Indian state clamps down on beef trade through new act.
synonyms: suppress/prevent/stop/limit/restrain/control/check/crack down on
19. Revere ( feel great respect or admiration for somebody/something )
Ex. He is now revered as a national hero.
synonyms: respect/admire/appreciate/worship/venerate/cherish/love
20. Deity ( god or goddess )
Ex. American archaeologists discovered a 3000 year old tomb of a nobleman who guarded deity
Amun.
synonyms: god/goddess/avatar/daemon/godhead/divinity etc.

21. Scuffle ( a short and not very violent fight or struggle )Ex. Scuffles broke out between police
and demonstrators.
synonyms: fight/tussle/brawl/fracas/commotion/punch up/rumpus
22. Downpour ( a heavy fall of rain that often starts suddenly )
Ex. Constant downpour kills two, causes damage.
synonyms: heavy rainfall/thunderstorm/torrent of rain/cloudburst/deluge
23. Horse trading ( the activity of bargaining using clever and secret methods, especially in
politics )
Ex. We will win with no horse-trading or electoral pacts.
synonyms: negotiate/bargain/hammer out deal/work out deal/swap
24. At the eleventh hour ( at the last possible moment, just in time )
Ex. Few PTI leaders think that there is no need of frantic, eleventh hour negotiations with other
political parties.
25. Be better off ( to have more money, be in advantageous position in financial terms )
Ex. Families will be better off under the new law.
26. Scribble ( to write something hurriedly and carelessly, especially because you don't have
much time )
Ex. He scribbled a note to his sister before leaving.
synonyms: scratch/scrawl/doodle/write untidy/jot down/dash off
27. Stipulate ( to state clearly and firmly that something must be done )
Ex. A delivery date is stipulated in the contract.
synonyms: impose/prescribe/demand/specify/set forth/make a condition of
28. Bottleneck ( anything that delays progress or development )
Ex. Serious measures are being taken to eradicate the bottlenecks in industry.
synonyms: hold up/stoppage/restriction/blockage/obstruction/snarl up
29. Digress ( to start to talk about something that's not connected with main point of what you'r
saying )
Ex. After several digressions, he finally got to the point.
synonyms: deviate/diverge/drift/ramble/wander/get off the subject/lose the thread
30. Relic ( an object, tradition or system that has survived from the past )
Ex. Our transportation system is a relic of the past.
synonyms: artifact/historical object/antique/object of virtue/fossils
31. Semblance ( a situation in which something seems to exist, although this may not, in fact )
Ex. The ceasefire brought about a semblance of peace.
synonyms: appearance/show/approximation/pretense/facade/guise/air

31. Shambles ( a situation in which there is lot of confusion )

Ex. The government is in a shambles in Pakistan.
synonyms: Chaos/mess/muddle/disorder/havoc/confusion/mare's nest
32. Persona non grata ( It's a Latin expression used in the English language. It means a person
who isn't welcome in a particular place because of something he has said or done, one who is
told to leave the country by the government )
Ex. Earlier this month, a Pakistani diplomat was declared persona non grata by the Bangladesh
govt and had to leave the country.
33. Stoke ( to make people feel something feel strongly )
Ex. Few people believe that Pakistan is stoking unrest in the world.
synonyms: make feel/tend/feed/poke/stir/add fuel to fire/keep burning
34. Internecine ( happening between members of the same group, destructive to both sides in a
conflict )
Ex. Invariably, secular-vs-Islamist cards are trotted out in Pakistan's internecine political
warfare.
synonyms: mutual/internal/deadly/fierce/violent/bloody/ruinous/destructive
35. Legitimate ( for which there is a fair and acceptable reason )
Ex. He made a legitimate excuse for being late.
synonyms: valid/fair/sound/acceptable/rational/admissible
36. Zealot ( a personal who is extremely enthusiastic. about religion or politics )
Ex. The zealots of ISIS feel no compunction putting men, woman to death.
synonyms: fanatic/extremist/diehard/enthusiastic/sectarian/bigot
37. Compunction ( a guilty feeling about doing something )
Ex. He kept on lying to her without compunction.
synonyms: hesitation/reluctance/guilt/regret/repentance/remorse
38. Naive ( unskillful, innocent and simple )
Ex. I can't believe that you were so naive as to trust her.
synonyms: innocent/artless/ingenious/inexperienced/unpretentious/immature
39. Pulverize ( to defeat of destroy something/somebody completely )
Ex. We pulverized the opposition.
synonyms: rout/crush/smash/overwhelm/thrash/trounce/flatten
40. Insignia ( the symbol, badge or sign that shows somebody's rank or that they are a member
of an organization )
Ex. His uniform bore the insignia of a captain.
synonyms: badge/symbol/emblem/mark/seal/sign/medal/decoration

04-08-20192

41. Vie (compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something )

Ex. She was surrounded by men all vying for her attention.
synonyms: compete/contest/struggle/fight/grapple/jostle/lock horns
42. Hegemony ( leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group over others )
Ex. Private electronic media did break PTV's hegemony.
synonyms: leadership/dominance/supremacy/control/authority/power
43. Berserk ( very angry, often in an unpleasant and uncontrolled way )
Ex. He went berserk when he found out where I had been.
synonyms: mad/crazy/insane/hysterical/manic/frantic/wild
44. Jeopardize ( to risk harming or destroying somebody/something )
Ex. He would never do anything to jeopardize his career.
synonyms: endanger/threaten/imperil/compromise/risk/peril
45. Harangue ( a lengthy and aggressive speech )
Ex. They were subjected to a ten-minute harangue by the DCO.
synonyms: criticism/tirade/lecture/diatribe/homily/polemic/peroration
46. The rat race ( a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle
for wealth or power )
Ex. It's very easy to get caught up in the rate race.
47. Anarchic ( a situation in a country/organization in which there is no government/control/order
)
Ex. The overthrow of military regime was followed by a period of anarchy.
synonyms: lawless/without law and order/chaotic/turbulent/rebellious
48. Shabby ( badly dressed in clothes that have been used a lot )
Ex. The young boy was shabby and unkempt.
synonyms: scruffy/neglected/dingy/sordid/ramshackle/shaky/squalid
49. Comply ( to obey a rule, an order etc. )
Ex. The servant complied the order.
synonyms: abide by/observe/obey/follow/respect/meet/satisfy
50. Toddler ( a young child who is just learnt to walk )
Ex. The boy gave the toy to the toddler.
Consensus ( a general agreement )
Ex. There is a growing consensus that the present govt. has failed.
synonyms: agreement/harmony/concord/consent/accord/unanimity
52. Moot ( to suggest an idea for people to discuss )
Ex. The scheme was first mooted last month.
synonyms: suggest/raise/bring up/broach/propose/propound/ventilate
53. Hoax ( an act intended to make somebody believe sth that's not true, especially something
unpleasant )
Ex. The emergency call to rescue 1122 turned to be a hoax.
synonyms: joke/jest/trick/prank/fraud/bluff/swindle/scam/spoof
54. Syndicate ( a group of people or companies who work together for a common interest )
Ex. PU syndicate gives tough time to vice chancellor.
synonyms: association/union/mob/ring/board/cabinet/committee/outfit
55. Shelve (decide not to work with a plan, either temporarily or permanently)
Ex. The govt. has shelved the idea until at least next year.
synonyms: suspend/postpone/adjourn/reschedule//hold up/dump/abolish
56. Scoop up (to lift something or someone quickly with your hands or arms)
Ex. Ralph scooped up a handful of dirt.
57. Dragnet ( a thorough search, especially for a criminal )
Ex. Afgan refugees in Pakistan are not scooped up by dragnet.
synonyms: search/check/beat/agent provocateur/clean up/detection
58. Hassle ( to annoy somebody or cause them trouble, especially by asking them to do
something many times )
Ex. Don't keep hassling me ! I'll do it later.
synonyms: harass/pester/nag/trouble/annoy/bedevil/bother/harry
59. Sneak up ( to approach someone quietly and in secret )
Ex. He sneaked up on his sister and shouted 'Boo'!
60. Umpteen ( a lot of, very many )
Ex. I have told this story umpteen times.
synonyms: many/considerable/countless/lots of/infinite/numerous/umpteen

06-08-2019

61. Dissent ( the fact of having or expressing opinion that are different from those that are
officially accepted )
Ex. There was no dissent from this view.
synonyms: disagreement/argument/objection/protest/defiance/disapproval
62. Lynch ( kill someone for an alleged offence without legal trial )
Ex. Her father was lynched by the white.
synonyms: hang/kill/murder/put to death/slay/knock off/bump off
63. Ambit ( the range of the authority and influence of something )
Ex. This case falls clearly withing the ambit of 2001 Act.
synonyms: range/boundary/extension/limit/scope/space
64. Cognizance ( knowledge or awareness )
Ex. Cognizance of the importance of the project must be evaluated.
synonyms: awareness/notice/knowledge/perception/recognition/realization
65. Entrench ( establish an attitude, idea, habit or belief that's very difficult to change )
Ex. This idea entrenched itself in the society.
synonyms: establish/settle/ensconce/set.install/embed/root
66. Maneuvering ( clever, skillful and often dishonest ways of achieving your aims )
Ex. The political maneuvering never stops.
synonyms: steer/guide/negotiate/manipulate/direct/navigate/jockey
67. Sully ( to spoil or reduce the value of something )
Ex. By cheating, they have sullied the good name of their country.
synonyms: spoil/defile/blemish/besmirch/pollute/mar/tarnish
68. Beset ( to affect sb/sth in an unpleasant or harmful way )
Ex. The Pakistani team is beset by injuries in the world cup.
synonyms: bedevil/attack/assail/afflict/trouble/affect/bother/beleaguer
69. Euphoria ( feeling or state of intense excitement only for a short time )
Ex. I was in a state of euphoria all day after hearing that I had passed CSS.
synonyms: elation/happiness/joy/excitement/delight/glee/exultation etc.
70. Incumbent ( necessary as part of somebody's duty )
Ex. It was incumbent on me to attend the seminar.
synonyms: compulsory/necessary/obligatory/mandatory/requisite/imperative

71. Pathetic ( making you feel pity or sadness )

Ex. The whole of Pakistan is pathetic after over the loss of Pakistan cricket team.
synonyms: sad/miserable/piteous/woeful/rending/wretched/mournful etc.
72. Torment, as a noun ( severe physical or mental suffering )
Ex. The flies were a terrible torment.
synonyms: pain/agony/distress/anguish/misery/purgatory/trauma etc.
73. Pervade ( spread through and be noticeable in every part )
Ex. The entire house was pervaded by a sour smell.
synonyms: permeate/spread through/penetrate/fill/imbue/perfuse etc.
74. Half hearted ( done without enthusiasm or efforts )
Ex. He made a half hearted effort to gain a pass in CSS.
synonyms: unenthusiastic/lukewarm/apathetic/perfunctory/lackluster/languid etc.
75. At the helm of ( in charge of an organization, project, school etc. )
Ex. Those at the helm of schools know well that the govt. would take no action against them.
76. Clergy ( the body of all people ordained for religious duties )
Ex. All the local clergy were asked to attend the meeting.
synonyms: clerics/conclave/prelacy/pastorate/the pulpit/diaconate etc.
77. Hype ( intensive publicity or promotion )
Ex. Don't believe all the hype -- book is not good at all.
synonyms: publicity/advertising/promotion/puff/boast/exposure/build up etc.
78. Glitch ( a small problem or defect that stops something working successfully )
Ex. A few technical glitches postponed the project inauguration.
synonyms: defect/fault/bug/hitch/problem/mishap/snag/setback etc.
79. Convoluted ( extremely complicated and difficult to follow )
Ex. The film is let down by a convoluted plot.
synonyms: complex/intricate/serpentine/baffling/tangled/perplexing etc.

80. Bedevil ( to cause a lot of problems over a long period of time )

Ex. The expedition was bedeviled by bad weather.
synonyms: beset/assail/harrow/rack/vex/annoy/exasperate/aggravate etc.

81. Seminary ( a college where priests, ministers and rabbis are trained )

Ex. PM calls for action against seminaries backing terrorism.

synonyms: academy/training college/training institute etc.

82. Shoot out ( a fight that's fought with guns until one side is killed or defeated )

Ex. Three men were killed in shoot out.

synonyms: encounter/fight/contest/warfare/war/fray/run in etc.

83. Behead ( cut somebody's head off, especially as a punishment )

Ex. ISIS is beheading people all around the world.

synonyms: kill/cut one's head off/execute/decapitate/put to death etc.

84. Pusillanimous ( frightened to take risks )

Ex. The world power should revise their pusillanimous strategy against the hostages.

synonyms: lacking courage/cowardly/timid/afraid/timorous/gutless etc.

85. Coy ( shy or pretending to be shy or innocent, especially about love or sex and sometime to
make people more interested in you )
Ex. The Muslim regional powers are coy about combining their forces against ISIS.

synonyms: reluctant/diffident/reticent/shy/skittish/withdrawn etc.

85. Alacrity ( great willingness and enthusiasm )

Ex. They accepted the offer with alacrity.

synonyms: willingness/eagerness/enthusiasm/ardour/zeal etc.

86. Convene ( to come together for a formal meeting )

Ex. The committee will convene at 11.

synonyms: call/summon/order/convoke/hold etc.

87. Stewardship ( the act of taking care of or managing things i.e.property, an organization etc. )

Ex. The company certainly prospered under his stewardship.

synonyms: care/custody/control/management/protection/supervision etc.

88. Bland ( showing no strong emotions or excitement, not saying anything very interesting )

Ex. These ostensible bland assurances are not enough.

synonyms: careless/vacuous/weak/tedious/lame/vapid/trite etc.

89. Stumble ( to make a mistake and stop while you are doing something )

Ex. In her nervousness she stumbled over her words.

synonyms: blunder/mistake/hesitate/shuffle/err/fall down/wobble etc.

90. Nasty ( very bad or unpleasant )

Ex. The news gave me a nasty shock.

synonyms: despicable/obnoxious/atrocious/repellent/putrid/ghastly etc.

91. Trail ( a long line or series of marks left by someone or something )

Ex. Blast leaves behind a trail of misery and grief.
synonyms: line/stream/chain/row/succession/string etc.
92. Labyrinth ( complicated irregular path or network where it's difficult to find one's way )
Ex. We lost our way in labyrinth of streets.
synonyms: maze/warren/network/complex/coil/entanglement etc.
93. at a snail's pace ( very slowly )
Ex. They are working at snail's pace but I am sure they would finish it on time.
94. Disgruntled ( annoyed or disappointed because something has happened to upset you )
Ex. I left feeling disgruntled at the way I had been treated.
synonyms: annoyed/dissatisfied/indignant/petulant/resentful/exasperated
95. Ambush ( a surprise attack on people lying in wait in a hidden place )
Ex. Two soldiers were killed in a terrorist ambush.
synonyms: surprise attack/trap/snare/lure/ambuscade etc.
96. Panic ( a sudden feeling of great fear that can't be controlled and prevents you from thinking
clearly )
Ex. They were in a state of panic.
synonyms: anxiety/nervousness/fear/agitation/hysteria/terror etc.
97. Perennial ( continuing for a long time, happening again and again )
Ex. The perennial problem of water shortage needs attention.
synonyms: everlasting/perpetual/eternal/continual/constant etc.
98. Take up ( to start to do something, especially for pleasure )
Ex. Hundred of thousands of young people take up smoking every year.
99. Rife ( something very common )
Ex. In our country corruption is very rife.
synonyms: widespread/common/general/extensive/pandemic etc.
100. Juvenile ( a young person )
Ex. Smoking is very rife amongst the juveniles.
synonyms: young person/teenager/youngster/schoolboy/adolescent etc.
101. Snarl up ( a traffic jam )
Ex. There was a six hours snarl up on Kanal Road as a trailer stuck in underpass.
synonyms: traffic jam/gridlock/jam/line/tailback/stream etc.
102. Desecration ( the act of desecrating something, desecrate means to damage a holly place,
thing or treat without respect )
Ex. Supreme court takes action for desecration of sacred places.
synonyms: sacrilege/profanation/violation/blasphemy/destruction etc.
103. Vigilant ( very careful to notice any signs of danger or trouble )
Ex. A pilot must remain vigilant at all times.
synonyms: watchful/observant/sharp-eyed/alert/prudent etc.
104. Stash ( to store something in a secret or safe place )
Ex. The corrupt leaders of our country have stashed their money in Swiss Banks.
synonyms: store/hide/conceal/save/deposit/pack/salt away etc.
105.Stringent ( of law, rule,regulation etc, very strict and that can be obeyed )
Ex. License are only granted under the most stringent conditions.
synonyms: strict.rigorous/tight/hard/stiff/hard and fast etc.
106. Remittance ( money sent in payment or as gift )
Ex. Remittance can be made by cheque or credit card.
synonyms: payment/settlement/fee/cheque/money order etc.
107. Dubious ( not to be relied upon, suspect )
Ex. They are indulged in some highly dubious business.
synonyms: suspicious/unreliable/fishy/dodgy/untrustworthy etc.
108. Usurp ( to take somebody's position or power without having right)
Ex. The new king usurped the throne.
synonyms: take over/expropriate/annex/arrogate/steal/wrest etc.
109. Smack off ( seem to contain or involve a particular unpleasant quality )
Ex. Her behavior smacks off hypocrisy.
110. Turmoil ( a state of great disturbance, confusion or uncertainty )
Ex. His statement threw the court into turmoil.
synonyms: disturbance/turbulence/chaos/ferment/upheaval etc.

09-08-2019 inshalla

1. Sacrosanct
Meaning: regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with/thought to be too important
or too special to be changed
Example: I'm willing to help on any weekday, but I'm afraid my weekends are sacrosanct.
Synonyms: Sacred, holy, safe, secure, inviolable, inviolate etc.
2. Astute
Meaning: clever and quick to see how to take advantage of a situation/having or showing an
ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example: Our teacher is an astute observer of human behavior.
Synonyms: sharp/clever/quick/intelligent/acute/quick witted/sagacious/wise/judicious etc.
3. Citadel
Meaning: a strong castle in or near a city, where people can shelter from danger, especially
during a war/a fortress, typically one on high ground above a city.
Example: The town has a 14th century citadel overlooking the river.
Synonyms:castle/stronghold/fortress/fort/burg/fortification etc.
4. Quaint ( attractively unusual or old fashioned )
Example: He made a quaint plea against terror.
Synonyms: picturesque/charming/attractive/sweet/old-world/twee etc.
5. Dazzle ( brightness that may cause temporary blindness )
Example: I screwed my eyes up against the dazzle.
Synonyms: Glare/flare/blaze/brilliance/gleam/shine/shimmer/radiance etc.
6. Edict ( an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority )
Example: They issued an edict against suicide bombing.
Synonyms: decree/order/command/mandate/proclamation/dictum/fiat etc.
7. Miscreant ( a person who has done something wrong or unlawful )
Example: The police ran after the miscreants.
Synonyms: criminal/culprit/scoundrel/black hat/convict/delinquent etc.
8. Precocious ( having abilities at an earlier age than expected )
Example: Precocious Arfa Kareem died in the age of just 17.
Synonyms: Talented/advanced/gifted/clever/quick/intelligent/smart etc.
(Note: All these words have been picked up from today DAWN, I flecked through the whole of
DAWN and learnt more than forty fresh words)

1. Hailed ( to describe something as very good or special, especially in newspapers)

Note: Hailed as a landmark achievement ........... parties. This line is the very 1st line of article
"Devolution at a dead end" by Nargis Sethi. Here "hailed" means "being described/told as the
landmark ( great/major) achievement. SO when it's used in this sense and is often used in
passive, it would mean described.
Ex. The conference was hailed as a great success.
2. Concurrent ( existing or happening at the same time)
Synonyms: simultaneous/coincident/side by side/parallel/coexisting etc.
3. Ensue ( happen as a result or after an event )
Synonyms: result/follow/evolve/arise/spring/emerge/issue/flow etc.
4. Trivial (of little or less importance )
Synonyms: trifling/unnecessary/not worth bothering about/not worth
mentioning/nugatory/petty/little/slight/negligible/insubstantial etc.
5. Lucrative: ( producing a great amount of money, making a large profit)
synonyms: profitable/well-paid/cost effective/bankable/booming/fruitful etc.
6. Myopic/insular ( both the words have same meaning and have been used in today article,
means lacking foresight or intellectual insight.)
synonyms: insular/narrow-minded/parochial/provincial/uncreative etc.
7. Clout ( power or influence i.e.political/fiscal clout )
synonyms: power/influence/sway/leverage/control/domination/prestige etc.
8. Tacit ( lacking foresight or intellectual insight/understood or implied without being stated)
synonyms: implicit/understood/implied/unspoken/unstated/silent etc.
9. Rumbling ( a long deep sound or a series of sounds )
synonyms: rumor/grumble/sound/roar/roll etc.
10. Proactive ( controlling a situation by making things happen rather than waiting for things to
happen and reacting to them, used for a person or policy )
synonyms: aggressive/eager/ardent/dedicated/enthusiastic/passionate/spirited/fired up/take
charge/keyed up/energetic etc.
( Note: These words have been taken just from one column, if you folks start and get hooked on
to skim through all the pages and articles believe me you be would be very rich in vocabulary.
Not blowing my own trumpet, want to tell that I remember more than 40 words per day and keep
up their synonyms for a back up and to avoid repetition of the same word. Be honest with
yourself and take this honest piece of advice of DAWN to override the vocabulary and written
expression hiccups. )

1. Fight tooth and claw/nail ( Fight very hard to achieve something )

Example: We fought tooth and claw/nail to retain our share in business.
2. Naive ( a person or action showing lack of experience, wisdom and judgement )
synonyms: ingenious/credulous/artless/unpretentious/immature/childlike
3. Atrocity ( a cruel and violent act, especially in a war )
synonyms: obscenity/inequity/massacre/carnage/outrage/act of savagery.
4. Plethora ( a large or excessive amount of something )
synonyms: profusion/plenty/deluge/glut/surplus/overflow/surfeit etc.
5. Mirage ( a hope or wish that you can't make happen because it's not realistic )
synonyms: fantasy/illusion/trick/delusion/chimera/apparition etc.
6. Dystopia ( an imaginary place or state where everything is bad or unpleasant )
7. Chaos ( complete disorder and confusion )
synonyms: havoc/turmoil/disorder/upheaval/hue and cry/commotion etc.
8. Servile ( wanting too much to please and obey someone )
synonyms: obsequious/subservient/fawning/slavish/craven/self-abasing
9. Gravitas ( the quality of being serious, great and solemn )
synonyms: dignity/solemness/decorum/gravity/sobriety etc.
10. Entice ( to persuade somebody to go somewhere to do something, especially by offering
them something )
synonyms: tempt/attract/lure/allure/inveigle/coax/seduce/beguile etc.

1. Nexus ( a complicated series of connections between different things )

synonyms: connection/core/union/link/tie/contre/network etc.
2. Inferno ( a large fire that's dangerously out of control )
synonyms: hellfire/purgatory/blazes/Hades/netherworld etc.
3. Extortion ( the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through forces or threats )
synonyms: blackmail/exaction/shakedown/extraction etc.
4. Veracity ( the quality of being true, the habit of telling truth )
synonyms: truth/accuracy/fidelity/honesty/realism/precision etc.
5. Glean ( obtain information through different sources, often with difficulty )
synonyms: obtain/get/draw/derive/extract/gather/pick etc.
6. Duress ( threat or force that is used to make somebody do something )
synonyms: force/pressure/compulsion/exaction/extraction/intimidation etc.
7. Blatant ( done in an obvious and open way without caring if people are shocked, especially of
actions that are considered bad )
synonyms: obvious/flagrant/undisguised/open/patent/overt/impudent etc.
8. Dire ( extremely serious or urgent )
synonyms: terrible/appalling/atrocious/awful/outrageous/calamitous etc.
9. Malicious ( intended or intending to do harm )
synonyms: hostile/venomous/malevolent/rancorous/bitter etc.
10. Tirade ( a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation )
synonyms: attack/criticism/diatribe/rant/censure/harangue etc.
11. Berate ( scold or criticize )
synonyms: rebuke/reprimand/admonish/reprove/castigate/chastise etc.
12. Onus ( something that's one's duty or responsibility )
synonyms: burden/responsibility/liability/obligation/duty/charge etc.
13. Despicable ( deserving hatred or contempt )
synonyms: disgusting/abhorrent/repellent/repugnant/obnoxious etc.
14. Vie ( compete strongly with somebody to obtain or achieve something )
synonyms: compete/contest/struggle/contend/battle/grapple/jostle etc.
15. Hush up ( to hide information about some situation because you don't want people to know
it )
Example: The whole matter was hushed up by the panel.

1. Flak ( strong criticism )

synonyms: criticism/disapproval/hostility/obloquy/vilification etc.
Note: To take flake means to bear or get or face the criticism.
Example: You must be strong enough to take the flak for wrong things.
Example: Ogra chief, PSO board take flak of petrol crisis.
SO whenever you use flak, it would be used with "take".
2. Begging bowl ( a bowl used by a beggar for food or donations. It's used in reference to an
earnest appeal for financial help.)
3. Climb down ( a withdrawal from a position taken up in argument or negotiation )
synonyms: surrender/back down/capitulate/retreat/give up etc.
4. Parochial ( having a limited or narrow outlook or scope )
synonyms: insular/narrow minded/myopic/petty/short sighted etc.
5. Get-go ( the very beginning )
synonyms: baseline/birth/kickoff/launch/onset/start/threshold etc.
6. Angst ( a feeling of deep anxiety or dread )
synonyms: anxiety/apprehension/perturbation/malaise/worry etc.
7. Hue and cry ( strong public protest against something )
synonyms: commotion/outcry/fuss/uproar/clamor/ado etc.
8. Disingenuous ( not serious, especially when you pretend to know less about something than
you really do )
synonyms: dishonest/duplicitous/two-faced/mendacious/cunning etc.
9. Ad hoc ( created or done for a particular purpose as necessary )
synonyms: impromptu/extempore/improvised/expedient/emergency etc.
10. Ruckus ( a situation in which there is lot of noisy activity, confusion and argument )
synonyms: row/brawl/commotion/upheaval/fracas/riot/fisticuffs etc.

1. Flummox ( to confuse somebody so that they don't know what to say or do )

synonyms: perplex/baffle/bewilder/mystify/confound/puzzle/gravel etc.
Ex. I was flummoxed by her question.
2. Pep ( energy and enthusiasm )
synonyms: life/go/energy/spirit/dynamism/fizz/ebullience/exuberance/vigor
Ex. Our principal delivered a pep talk.
3. Knack ( a special skill or ability that you naturally have or can learn )
synonyms:talent/instinct/ability/adroitness/proficiency/dexterity etc.
Ex. He has got a real knack for/of learning vocabulary.
4. Reprimand ( to tell somebody officially that you don't approve of them or their actions )
synonyms: rebuke/scold/admonish/reprove/castigate/berate etc.
Ex. The officers were reprimanded for their unprofessional behavior.
5. Conspicuous ( clearly visible, likely to attract attention )
synonyms: clear/visible/blatant/patent/evident/perceptible etc.
Ex. The event was a conspicuous success.

1. Fray ( a fight, competition or an argument, especially that's exciting or seen a real test of your
ability )
Ex. Pakistan and India in a fray for tomorrow match.
synonyms: battle/clash/contest/competition/fracas/struggle etc.
2. Scuttle ( deliberately cause something to fail )
Ex. Shareholders ready to scuttle the deal.
synonyms: abandon/submerge/wreck/destroy/scrap etc.
3. Whistle blowing ( an act of reporting insider knowledge of illegal activities of an organization,
such a person is called whistle blower )
Ex. Army man claims he was framed for whistle blowing.
synonyms: criminate/arraign/impeach/inculpate/indict etc.
4. Assail ( criticize strongly )
Ex. Siraj assails PPP for making MQM a part of govt.
synonyms: criticize/berate/scold/castigate/chastise/slam/excoriate etc.
5. Candid ( saying what you think openly and honestly; not hiding your thoughts )
Ex. The new leadership in Afghanistan engaged in candid dialogue.
synonyms: frank/blunt/sincere/honest/bluff/upfront/straightforward etc.
6. Propitious ( likely to produce successful results )
Ex. It wasn't a propitious time to start meeting.
synonyms: auspicious/favorable/well timed/optimistic/opportune etc.
7. Conduit ( a source used for passing things, information to other places )
Ex. Afghanistan is a main conduit for imports via Karachi port.
synonyms: channel/duct/source/pipe/course/aqueduct/lead in etc.
8. Disseminate ( spread, especially information widely )
Ex. The findings of Baldia Town inferno case has been widely disseminated.
synonyms: spread/disperse/circulate/promulgate/propagate/herald etc.
9. Bulge ( a sudden temporary increase in amount of something )
Ex. After the war there was a bulge in the birth rate.
synonyms: increase/surge/rise/boost/escalation/leap etc.
10. Mitigate ( make something less severe, serious or painful )
Ex. Drainage schemes have helped to mitigate problems.
synonyms: alleviate/reduce/diminish/lessen/abate/dull/extenuate etc.
1. Impasse ( a situation where no progress can be made due to disagreement )
Ex. Negotiations have reached an impasse.
synonyms: deadlock/halt/dead end/stoppage/stand off/checkmate etc.
2. Belligerent ( unfriendly and aggressive )
Ex. He is always very belligerent towards me.
synonyms: hostile/pugnacious/antagonistic/captious/aggressive etc.
3. Call off ( to cancel something, to decide something will not happen )
Ex. They have called off their engagement.
4. Petulant ( of a person or their manners, bad tempered )
Ex. Her tone of voice became abrupt and petulant.
synonyms: bad-tempered/cranky/fractious/irritable/sullen etc.
5. Diehard ( strongly opposing change and new ideas, especially persons )
Ex. A few diehards are trying to stop the reforms.
synonyms: conservative/deep-dyed/staunch/steadfast/adamant etc.
1. Brawl ( a noisy and violent fight involving a group of people, especially in a public place )
Ex. Many people were injured in a mass brawl outside the nightclub.
synonyms: fight/scuffle/fray/commotion/uproar/fracas etc.
2. Globetrotting ( travel in many countries all over the world )
Ex. He is a globetrotting journalist.
3. Motorcade ( a procession of motor vehicles, typically carrying and escorting a prominent
person )
Ex. President's motorcade has just gone by.
4. Blow oneself up ( to kill or destroy oneself by an explosion )
Ex. The hostage blew himself up with a bomb.
Note: The idiom is used for terrorists and such other people who kill themselves using bombs or
such jackets. Whenever they reach the target or get suspected, they blow themselves up in
order not to be arrested for interrogation.
5. Chunk ( informal, a fairly large amount of something )
Ex. Major chunk of foreign funds was spent on the luxuries of ministers.
synonyms: sum/lump/portion/piece/amount etc.
6. Succor ( assistant and support in hard times and distress )
Ex. The new ASPs were advised to provide the downtrodden with succor and relief.
synonyms: aid/help/assistance/backing/relief/ministration etc.
7. Fatuous ( stupid, silly and pointless )
Ex. He tells her to let that fatuous discussion go.
synonyms: silly/stupid/infantile/puerile/ludicrous/absurd etc.
8. Nuance ( a slight difference in meaning, sound somebody's feelings )
Ex. He was familiar with the nuances of local dialect.
9. Obsolete ( no longer used or valid, out of date )
Ex. Many traditional skills have become obsolete at this time and age.
synonyms: null and void/outdated/ancient/bygone/archaic etc.
10. Status que ( it's a foreign expression of any other language in English, but it's widely used
by the English. It means " the situation as it's now or it was before a recent change )
Ex. By continuing with fictitious status que and devising policies without new census wouldn't be
a wise decision at all.
synonyms: state of affairs/status/existing condition/present state of affairs. ..