Daily Vocabulary from Indian Newspapers and Publications: September 12, 2025

✨ Welcome to Your Daily Vocabulary Challenge! ✨

Every day, we bring you carefully selected words from top Indian newspapers and publications to strengthen your vocabulary. Today’s set of words is explained in detail here: Daily Vocabulary from Indian Newspapers – September 12, 2025.

👉 Before attempting the quiz, make sure to read through the article first so you fully understand each word, its meaning, and its usage.

Once you’re done, test your learning with 5 quick MCQs. This daily quiz is designed to sharpen your memory, improve word retention, and make your vocabulary-building journey fun and interactive.

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Daily Vocabulary from Indian Newspapers and Publications: September 12, 2025

1. Which of the following best captures the meaning of “annihilating” as used in academic and literary contexts?

Severely criticizing with harsh but constructive feedback Completely destroying or reducing to utter defeat or nonexistence Gradually weakening through persistent undermining Temporarily overwhelming with superior force or numbers Systematically dismantling through careful analysis
"Annihilating" derives from the Latin "nihil" (nothing) and means to reduce something to nothing—complete destruction or utter defeat. The word implies total obliteration rather than partial damage. Option A describes harsh criticism but not destruction. Option C suggests gradual weakening, while "annihilating" is absolute and complete. Option D implies temporary superiority, whereas annihilation is permanent and total. Option E describes methodical analysis, not destruction. The word carries connotations of complete and irreversible elimination.

2. After the controversial archaeological expedition concluded, critics accused the team of having _________ the ancient site, leaving precious artifacts scattered and the historical record compromised.

excavated surveyed ransacked catalogued preserved
"Ransacked" means to search through thoroughly and roughly, often leaving things in disorder, or to pillage and plunder. In this context, it perfectly captures the accusation that the team searched carelessly and destructively, leaving artifacts "scattered" and the record "compromised." Option A (excavated) is neutral archaeological work. Option B (surveyed) suggests systematic observation. Option D (catalogued) implies careful organization. Option E (preserved) is the opposite of the damage described. Only "ransacked" conveys the destructive, careless searching that matches the negative consequences described.

3. In the sentence “The senator weathered the media’s relentless onslaughts regarding her voting record,” which word could best replace “onslaughts” without changing the meaning?

inquiries barrages observations commentaries investigations
"Onslaughts" refers to fierce, violent attacks or assaults, whether physical or figurative. "Barrages" similarly implies intense, continuous attacks or bombardments, making it the best synonym in this context of media criticism. Option A (inquiries) suggests neutral questions rather than attacks. Option C (observations) implies passive watching rather than aggressive action. Option D (commentaries) suggests analytical discussion rather than fierce assault. Option E (investigations) implies systematic fact-finding rather than aggressive attacks. Only "barrages" maintains the sense of intense, sustained, and aggressive assault that "onslaughts" conveys.

4. A literary critic described the novelist’s latest work as “mercenary,” most likely meaning that the book:

Contains extensive military themes and battle sequences Lacks artistic integrity and was written purely for commercial success Features protagonists who are professional soldiers for hire Employs aggressive marketing tactics to boost sales Draws heavily from the author's military service experiences
When applied to artistic work, "mercenary" means motivated purely by money rather than artistic principles or integrity—essentially "selling out" for profit. This figurative use stems from the literal meaning of mercenaries as soldiers who fight for pay rather than loyalty or principle. Option A confuses the literal military meaning with the figurative application. Option C also focuses on the literal soldier meaning rather than the metaphorical sense. Option D describes marketing tactics, not the work's intrinsic qualities. Option E again references military themes literally. Only option B captures the intended criticism that the work prioritizes financial gain over artistic merit.

5. Which of the following words represents the best antonym for “pugnacious”?

Timorous Conciliatory Reticent Indifferent Methodical
"Pugnacious" means eager to fight, quarrel, or engage in conflict—essentially combative and aggressive. "Conciliatory" means intended to placate or reconcile, representing the opposite approach of seeking peace rather than conflict. Option A (timorous) means fearful, which opposes courage but not necessarily the fighting spirit. Option C (reticent) means reserved in speech, addressing communication style rather than combativeness. Option D (indifferent) suggests lack of interest rather than active peace-seeking. Option E (methodical) refers to systematic approach, irrelevant to fighting tendency. Only "conciliatory" directly opposes the confrontational, aggressive nature that defines "pugnacious."