Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial 10 February 2026 English Notes for SSC

This Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial 10 February 2026 session provides an in-depth exploration of English language concepts vital for competitive examinations. It focuses on enhancing vocabulary through diverse methods, understanding grammatical nuances, and mastering idiomatic expressions. 

Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial

Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial is a comprehensive learning resource designed to support students in their preparation for competitive examinations like SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP, and Railways. Reading The Hindu newspaper daily is one of the effective ways to sharpen English vocabulary and master complex grammar. In this section, we break down key expressions and high-frequency words drawn directly from today’s editorial to ensure your preparation remains exam-oriented.

The February 10, 2026 session offers a strategic deep dive into the English language. Today’s analysis focuses on:

• Root Word Mastery: Understanding the "GREG" root to unlock multiple meanings.

• Grammar Precision: Mastering the "Sequence of Tense" and identifying "Superfluous Words" that often lead to marks being docked in Tier-2 exams.

• Contextual Vocabulary: Detailed exploration of terms like Hegemony and Unequivocally, complete with synonyms and antonyms.

• Idiomatic Proficiency: Decoding phrases such as "Ruffled Feathers" and "Back on Track" to improve reading comprehension and cloze test performance.

Also Read:

• SSC Monthly Current Affairs
• SSC Weekly Current Affairs

1. Words with Pictures

This section introduces vocabulary using visual aids to explain meanings.

• Bizarre: Unusual or strange; strange, uncommon, or abnormal.

• Plausible: Credible or believable; credible or trustworthy.

• Excerpt: A small part or portion of a larger whole. Synonyms include portion and extract.

• Concrete: Specific and definite. This refers to a definite goal or outcome.

• Obliquely: Indirectly. This means communicating something indirectly.

• Erosion: The process of weakening or wearing away. A key synonym is undermine.

• Convention: A tradition or established practice. This refers to a tradition.

• Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. A key synonym is controversial.

• Forum: A public platform for discussion. A synonym is assembly.

• Derogatory: Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude; insulting. This means insulting.

• Show Up: To appear or arrive. Synonyms include appear and turn up.

2. Vocabulary with PYQs (Previous Year Questions)

This section involves practice questions based on previous exams.

• Idiom: Soft Option

• Meaning: An easier alternative.

• Word: Hegemony

• Meaning: Dominance or leadership, especially by one country or social group over others. (Memory Tip: Think of the current dominance of AI, like Google Gemini, to remember the meaning of dominance.)

• Antonyms: Powerlessness, Impotency.

• Word: Queer

• Meaning: Something odd or peculiar; strange.

• Incorrectly Spelt Word: The word with the incorrect spelling was Prominence.

3. Idioms and Phrases

• Blow by blow: A description that contains every detail of an event in the order it occurred.

• To see someone in high feather: To see someone in a cheerful mood.

• To cut off with a shilling: To disinherit someone completely.

4. Root Word of the Day: GREG

The root word greg means group or crowd.

5. One Word Substitution

• Question: An excessive or irrational fear of opinions.

• Answer: Doxophobia.

• Other Terms: Misology (hatred of reason), Xenophobia (fear of strangers), Dipsomania (craving for alcohol).

• Question: Skillful at handling things.

• Answer: Dexterous. (Root for ambidextrous).

• Question: The outer layer of cells.

• Answer: Epidermis.

• Other Terms: Epicure (lover of fine food), Epistle (a letter).

6. The Core of the Session: Detailed Vocabulary

1. Amends (Noun)

• Meaning: Actions taken to correct a mistake or wrongdoing. The phrase make amends is important.

• Synonyms: Compensation, correction, reparation, restitution, remedy.

• Antonyms: Damage, harm, injury, wrongdoing.

2. Strain (Noun)

• Meaning: A state of tension or pressure, particularly in relationships.

• Synonyms: Tension, stress, friction, pressure, discord.

• Antonyms: Harmony, ease, peace, comfort.

3. Perpetrators (Noun)

• Meaning: People who commit a crime or a wrongdoing.

• Synonyms: Offenders, culprits, criminals, wrongdoers, law-breakers.

• Antonyms: Victims, innocents, sufferers.

4. De-escalation (Noun)

• Meaning: A reduction in the intensity of a conflict or tense situation.

• Synonyms: Calming, reduction, easing, moderation.

• Antonyms: Escalation, aggravation, intensification, provocation.

5. Ruffled Feathers (Idiomatic Expression)

• Meaning: To have caused offense or annoyance.

• Synonyms: Offended, irritated, annoyed, upset, angered.

• Antonyms: Pleased, satisfied, comforted, soothed.

6. Set Aside (Phrasal Verb)

• Meaning: To ignore or put something out of consideration.

• Synonyms: Disregard, ignore, overlook, shelve, dismiss.

• Antonyms: Consider, focus on, emphasize.

7. Unequivocally (Adverb)

• Meaning: In a clear and unambiguous manner; leaving no doubt. The prefix 'un-' makes this word positive, meaning clear.

• Synonyms: Clearly, openly, explicitly, unmistakably, definitely.

• Antonyms: Ambiguously, doubtfully, vaguely.

8. Cross-border (Adjective)

• Meaning: Involving more than one country (e.g., cross-border terrorism).

• Synonyms: Transnational, international, overseas, foreign.

• Antonyms: Domestic, internal, local.

9. Building On (Phrasal Expression)

• Meaning: Developing further from an existing base or foundation.

• Synonyms: Expanding, strengthening, enhancing, developing.

• Antonyms: Weakening, destroying, abandoning.

10. Back on Track (Idiomatic Expression)

• Meaning: Returning to progress or a normal state after a period of problems.

• Synonyms: Restored, stabilized, improved, corrected.

• Antonyms: Derailed, disrupted, damaged.

11. Set About (Phrasal Verb)

• Meaning: To begin doing something seriously or with determination.

• Synonyms: Begin, start, undertake, initiate, commence.

• Antonyms: Stop, abandon, halt, delay, quit.

7. Paragraph-Based Grammar & Vocabulary

Grammar Rules

1. Sequence of Tense

• Rule: When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the subsequent verb in the reported speech should also be in the past tense.

• Example Correction: "Mr. Modi said that he made Malaysia his first destination abroad." (Original: "makes")

2. Superfluous Words

• Rule: Verbs like "discuss" and "describe" do not require the preposition "about" as its meaning is inherent in the verb.

• Example Correction: "India and Malaysia also discussed counter-terrorism cooperation." (Original: "discussed about")

Vocabulary (Antonym)

• Word: Downcast

• Meaning: Disheartened, dejected, or sad.

• Antonym: Cheerful.

Phrasal Verbs

• Put down to: To explain the reason for something; to attribute something to a particular cause.

• Example: "I put down her rude behavior to stress." (Meaning: Her rude behavior was attributed to stress.)

• Held out: To resist or endure in a difficult situation.

• Example: "The soldier held out against all odds."

8. Reading Comprehension: "Back on Track"

This passage discusses diplomatic efforts to repair and strengthen ties between India and Malaysia. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Kuala Lumpur aimed to make amends for a previously cancelled trip. Talks with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim led to MOUs, strengthening bilateral relations. The relationship had faced strain in 2025 due to Malaysia's comments on the Pulwama terror attacks and offers to mediate. These concerns were subsequently set aside, with both nations unequivocally condemning all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. Discussions also covered counter-terrorism and an MOU on semiconductors, involving IIT Madras and Malaysia's Advanced Semiconductor Academy.

The Hindu Editorial Paragraph Analysis & Practice Questions

1. What was the primary purpose of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Malaysia?

• A) To attend the ASEAN Summit

• B) To strengthen defense ties only

• C) To repair and strengthen bilateral relations (To mend the relationship)

• D) To sign a trade agreement with Pakistan

2. Why did Prime Minister Modi choose Malaysia as his first foreign destination of the new year?

• A) Due to economic pressure

• B) As compensation for canceling a previous visit last year

• C) Because of Malaysia's strategic location

• D) At the invitation of Pakistan

3. Which issue caused strain in India-Malaysia relations in 2025?

• A) Trade disputes

• B) Visa restrictions

• C) Malaysia's comments after the Pahalgam terror attack and offer to mediate

• D) Disagreement at the United Nations

4. The phrase "ruffled feathers" in the passage most nearly means:

• A) Caused excitement

• B) Created misunderstanding

• C) Annoyed or offended

• D) Smoothed over differences

5. The MOU on semiconductors aims to strengthen cooperation between which two entities?

• A) IIT Madras Global and Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia

• B) ISRO and Malaysia Space Agency

• C) Ministry of Electronics and Malaysian Trade Board

• D) Private Indian tech firms and Malaysian government