Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 11 February 2026 | English Notes for SSC

Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial (11 February 2026) is designed to help SSC and other competitive exam aspirants strengthen their English skills through real editorial content. This section consists of important vocabulary, idioms, one-word substitutions, and grammar rules frequently asked in exams, all explained in an easy and exam-oriented manner. 

Along with language learning, it also breaks down the editorial topic in a clear way to improve reading comprehension and contextual understanding, making daily preparation more effective and focused.

Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 11 February 2026

Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial (11 February 2026) is curated to help competitive exam aspirants enhance their English proficiency through structured, exam-focused learning. By combining important vocabulary, idioms, one-word substitutions, grammar rules, and editorial analysis, this resource supports both language development and reading comprehension. Each section is designed to simplify complex concepts, improve retention, and strengthen the ability to interpret editorial content effectively skills that are essential for scoring well in English sections across competitive exams like SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP, and Railways.

Vocabulary Boosters

This section features important vocabulary items to enhance your English proficiency.

1. Set about: To begin or start something.

2. Cross-border: International; relating to activity across a border between two countries.

3. Amends: Reparation or compensation for a wrong or injury; making improvements or corrections.

4. Perpetrators: Individuals who carry out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act. Synonyms include offenders or culprits.

5. Strain: Tension or pressure, often between two conflicting parties or in a difficult situation.

6. Set aside: To ignore or dismiss something.

7. Build on: To use a success or achievement as a basis from which to achieve more; to expand based on an existing foundation.

8. Ruffled feathers: A state of being annoyed, angry, or irritated.

9. De-escalation: The reduction of the intensity of a conflict or crisis. It can be understood as a calming action or a reduction.

10. Back on track: To restore something to its original or proper state; to return to a normal or successful path.

11. Unequivocally: In a way that leaves no doubt; clearly and unambiguously.

Essential Idioms and Phrases

The Essential Idioms & Phrases section covers commonly used idioms and expressions that frequently appear in competitive exams. Each idiom is explained in an easy and relatable way, along with its meaning and usage, so students can understand how to apply them correctly in sentences. This section helps improve both vocabulary and comprehension, making it easier to handle idiom-based questions with confidence.

1. Barking up the wrong tree: To misdirect one's efforts; to pursue a mistaken course of action where the effort is present, but it is not aimed correctly.

2. Go down well with (someone): To be received in a positive or appreciative manner by someone. Example: His speech went down well with the audience, meaning it was appreciated by them.

3. A bitter pill: An unpleasant or difficult situation that one must accept.

4. Hand over fist: Done quickly and continuously.

5. Hedge against (something): To protect oneself from potential loss, harm, or criticism. Example: The minister tried to hedge against future criticism.

6. Bear out (bore out): To support or confirm an argument or statement. Example: He bore out his argument with solid facts.

Vocabulary Analysis

The Vocabulary Analysis section focuses on explaining important words in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Each word is discussed with its meaning, usage, and related concepts so that students can remember and apply them correctly in exams. This section helps build strong word knowledge and improves accuracy in vocabulary-based questions for SSC and other competitive exams.

• Flimsy: Weak, delicate, and not strong or solid. (Memory Tip: Remember 'flimsy' by associating it with the thin, fragile 'film' used in old cameras.)

• Antonym for Patchy: Uniform.

• Patchy: Existing or happening in small, isolated areas; not complete or full.

• Uniform: Remaining the same in all cases and at all times; unvarying.

Also Read:

• SSC Monthly Current Affairs
• SSC Weekly Current Affairs

One-Word Substitution

The One-Word Substitution section helps students learn how to replace a group of words with a single, precise term. It explains commonly asked substitutions in a clear and exam-oriented way, making them easy to remember and use. This section strengthens vocabulary, saves time in exams, and improves accuracy in one-word substitution questions.

1. Reproof: An expression of mild disapproval.

2. Dead ringer: An exact copy or duplicate of someone or something.

3. Acclimatize: To accustom or adapt oneself to a new or foreign climate.

4. Pilferage: The act of stealing things of little value or in small quantities. This is distinguished from theft, which is generally on a larger scale.

Root Word of the Day: Phobia (Fear)

Phobia is a root word meaning an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

Here are key types of phobias important for exams:

• Claustrophobia: Fear of closed or confined spaces.

• Acrophobia: Fear of heights. (Important)

• Hydrophobia: Fear of water.

• Nyctophobia: Fear of darkness.

• Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders. (Very Important for one-word substitution)

• Agoraphobia: Fear of open or public places (contrast with Claustrophobia).

• Xenophobia: Fear of strangers or foreigners.

• Bibliophobia: Fear of books.

• Technophobia: Fear of technology.

• Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes. (Important)

• Hemophobia: Fear of blood.

The Hindu Editorial: Vocabulary Analysis

The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary Analysis section explains important words used in the editorial in a clear and exam-focused manner. Each word is broken down with its meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and usage so that students can easily understand how it is used in context. This helps aspirants improve reading comprehension, build strong vocabulary, and confidently tackle vocabulary-based questions in SSC and other competitive exams.

1. Escalating (Adjective/Verb)

• Definition: Increasing rapidly in intensity or seriousness.

• Synonyms: Intensifying, rising, growing.

• Antonyms: Decreasing, declining, subsiding.

2. One-upmanship (Noun)

• Definition: A competitive behavior intended to gain an advantage or a feeling of superiority over others; the urge to constantly outdo rivals.

• Synonyms: Rivalry, competitiveness, antagonism.

• Antonyms: Cooperation, harmony, collaboration.

3. Pivotal (Adjective)

• Definition: Of crucial or central importance to the development or success of something.

• Synonyms: Crucial, vital, key.

• Antonyms: Minor, trivial, insignificant.

4. Lopsided (Adjective)

• Definition: Unequal or unbalanced; with one side being larger, heavier, or more developed than the other.

• Synonyms: Uneven, imbalanced, asymmetrical.

• Antonyms: Balanced, equal, symmetrical.

5. Capping (Verb)

• Definition: Putting a limit or restriction on something.

• Synonyms: Limiting, restricting, controlling.

• Antonyms: Expanding, increasing, extending.

6. Proportionally (Adverb)

• Definition: In a balanced or corresponding manner; relative to a particular amount or size.

• Synonyms: Relatively, correspondingly, evenly.

• Antonyms: Unevenly, unfairly, disproportionately.

7. Treaty (Noun)

• Definition: A formal, written agreement or pact between countries.

• Synonyms: Agreement, pact, accord.

• Antonyms: Conflict, disagreement, dispute.

8. Arsenal (Noun)

• Definition: A collection of weapons and military equipment. (Important for one-word substitution).

• Synonyms: Armory, stockpile, weapons cache.

• Antonyms: Disarmament, shortage.

9. Warhead (Noun)

• Definition: The explosive part of a missile, torpedo, or other nuclear weapon.

• Synonyms: Explosive charge, payload.

• Antonyms: Disarmed missile (contextual).

10. Accumulation (Noun - Abstract)

• Definition: The gradual collection or increase of something over time.

• Synonyms: Build-up, gathering, stockpiling.

• Antonyms: Reduction, depletion, dispersal.

Grammar Rules and Application

Here is a simple, human-language paragraph for Grammar Rules & Application:

The Grammar Rules & Application section focuses on important grammar concepts that are commonly tested in competitive exams. It explains rules like the correct use of stative verbs, proper sentence structures, and common spelling errors in a clear and practical way. With easy examples and correct–incorrect usage, this section helps students avoid common mistakes and apply grammar rules accurately in exams.

1. Stative Verbs

• Rule: Verbs that describe a state or condition rather than an action (e.g., understand, own, know, love, hate, believe, wish) are generally not used in the continuous (ING) form as main verbs. They are used in simple or perfect tenses.

• Incorrect: I am understanding you.

• Correct: I understand you.

2. Usage of 'Prefer'

• Rule: When comparing two nouns or gerunds using the verb prefer, the correct preposition to use is to, not than, over, or above.

• Correct Structure: Prefer (something/doing something) to (something else/doing something else).

• Example: He prefers coffee **to** tea.

Spelling

• The correctly spelled word among the options provided is Interested.

• The correct spellings for other words commonly confused are: Attribute, Practical, and Fictional.

Reading Comprehension: The START Treaty

The START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), which expired on February 5th, symbolized a shift in global geopolitics away from the Cold War era's escalating "one-upmanship" between the U.S. and the USSR. This earlier era was characterized by unlimited nuclear weapon accumulation and space races. START represented a pivotal shift from this unlimited accumulation towards negotiated reductions.

By the 1980s, both superpowers had amassed massive arsenals, with each possessing over 10,000 strategic nuclear warheads. Earlier arms control efforts, like the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) of the 1970s, focused on capping the numbers of weapons rather than actually reducing them.

START I, with negotiations beginning in 1982, was the first agreement to mandate actual reductions. The treaty required each side to cut strategic warheads to 6,000 and reduce delivery systems proportionally, a significant symbolic and practical achievement.

Comprehension Questions & Answers:

1. What was the primary purpose of the START treaty?

• To shift nuclear policy from accumulation to reduction.

2. What does "one-upmanship" mean in the passage?

• Competitive rivalry to achieve superiority.

3. By the 1980s, what did both superpowers possess?

• More than 10,000 strategic nuclear warheads each.

4. How did earlier measures like SALT differ from START?

• SALT aimed only at capping the growth of arsenals, not at reduction.

5. When did the START I negotiations begin?

• In 1982.