Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 16 December 2025 | English Notes for SSC

Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 16 December 2025 is a great way for SSC and Railway exam aspirants to strengthen their vocabulary and grammar. It helps in gaining a deeper understanding of editorial articles, improving reading comprehension skills. 

By making it a regular habit, you’ll stay prepared throughout the year, reducing the pressure of last-minute exam preparation. Over time, this routine boosts confidence and enhances your ability to tackle exams like SSC CHSL, CGL, CPO, GD, and more.

Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 16 December 2025 

Making a habit of reading "The Hindu" vocabulary and editorials every day is a fantastic way to improve your language skills for SSC and Railway exams. It strengthens your vocabulary, sharpens your grammar, and helps you better understand complex editorial articles. 

This consistent practice not only prepares you throughout the year but also reduces the stress of last-minute cramming. Over time, it boosts your confidence and enhances your performance in exams like SSC CHSL, CGL, CPO, GD, and others. Below is the video link for today’s editorial and vocabulary session.

The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 16 December 2025

Below, we have provided the Hindu Vocabulary 16 December 2025 for the ease of the candidates. Check the complete list below:

1. Massacre (Noun)
   
   

• Meaning/Definition: The killing of many people in a brutal and violent manner
  
  

• Hindi: निर्मम हत्या / हिंसा
  
  

• Synonyms: Slaughter, Carnage, Bloodbath, Butchery, Extermination
  
  

• Antonyms: Peace, Harmony, Rescue, Protection, Mercy
  
  

• Example: The city was shocked by the massacre at Bondi Beach.
  
  

2. Iconic (Adjective)
   
   

• Meaning/Definition: Widely recognized and well-known as a symbol
  
  

• Hindi: प्रसिद्ध / प्रतीकात्मक
  
  

• Synonyms: Symbolic, Famous, Renowned, Celebrated, Notable
  
  

• Antonyms: Obscure, Unknown, Insignificant, Unnoticed
  
  

• Example: Bondi Beach is an iconic tourist destination.
  
  

3. Wounded (Adjective/Verb)
   
   

• Meaning/Definition: Injured physically, especially by violence
  
  

• Hindi: घायल
  
  

• Synonyms: Injured, Hurt, Damaged, Bruised, Harmed
  
  

• Antonyms: Healed, Unhurt, Healthy, Safe
  
  

• Example: Forty people were wounded in the attack.
  
  

4. Antisemitic (Adjective)
   
   

• Meaning/Definition: Showing hatred or prejudice against Jewish people
  
  

• Hindi: यहूदी-विरोधी
  
  

• Synonyms: Bigoted, Racist, Prejudiced, Discriminatory, Intolerant
  
  

• Antonyms: Tolerant, Inclusive, Accepting, Fair-minded
  
  

• Example: Antisemitic incidents have increased in recent years.
  
  

Retaliatory (Adjective)

• Meaning/Definition: Done as a response to an attack or harm
  
  

• Hindi: प्रतिशोधात्मक
  
  

• Synonyms: Responsive, Counter-attacking, Revengeful, Reactive
  
  

• Antonyms: Passive, Forgiving, Non-reactive
  
  

• Example: Israel launched retaliatory strikes.
  
  

Expulsion (Noun)

• Meaning/Definition: The act of forcing someone to leave officially
  
  

• Hindi: निष्कासन
  
  

• Synonyms: Deportation, Removal, Ejection, Ouster
  
  

• Antonyms: Admission, Acceptance, Inclusion
  
  

• Example: The expulsion followed serious allegations.
  
  

Envoy (Noun)

• Meaning/Definition: A person sent to represent a government
  
  

• Hindi: दूत / प्रतिनिधि
  
  

• Synonyms: Delegate, Ambassador, Diplomat, Messenger
  
  

• Antonyms: Citizen, Local resident
  
  

• Example: The special envoy addressed the issue.
  
  

Extremism (Noun)

• Meaning/Definition: Holding extreme political or religious views
  
  

• Hindi: कट्टरपंथ
  
  

• Synonyms: Radicalism, Fanaticism, Militancy, Fundamentalism
  
  

• Antonyms: Moderation, Tolerance, Balance
  
  

• Example: Religious extremism poses a serious threat.
  
  

Firebombed (Verb)

• Meaning/Definition: Attacked using an incendiary device
  
  

• Hindi: आग लगाकर हमला किया
  
  

• Synonyms: Set on fire, Torched, Burned, Incinerated
  
  

• Antonyms: Extinguished, Saved, Protected
  
  

• Example: A synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed.
  
  

Gathering (Noun)

• Meaning/Definition: A group of people meeting for a particular purpose
  
  

• Hindi: सभा / बैठक
  
  

• Synonyms: Assembly, Meeting, Congregation, Crowd, Get-together
  
  

• Antonyms: Dispersal, Separation, Scattering
  
  

• Example: The attack occurred during a religious gathering.

Para Jumble

1. He made up an excuse for being late.
   
   

• Made up means:
  A) Destroyed
  B) Invented
  C) Accepted
  D) Proved
  Answer: B) Invented
  
  

2. The company plans to cut down expenses.
   
   

• Cut down means:
  A) Increase
  B) Reduce
  C) Remove
  D) Waste
  Answer: B) Reduce
  
  

3. She put up with his rude behaviour.
   
   

• Put up with means:
  A) Tolerate
  B) Reject
  C) Protest
  D) Encourage
  Answer: A) Tolerate
  
  

4. He looked down upon the poor.
   
   

• Looked down upon means:
  A) Helped
  B) Ignored
  C) Despised
  D) Respected
  Answer: C) Despised

One Word Substitution

1. A mark remaining on the skin from a wound
   
   

• Answer: Scar
  
  

• Synonyms: Injury, Bruise, Rush
  
  

2. Dogs are known for possession of the quality of being faithful
   
   

• Answer: Fidelity
  
  

• Synonyms: Honesty, Genuineness, Creditability
  
  

3. One whose hobby is stamp collection
   
   

• Answer: Philatelist
  
  

• Synonyms: Phonologist, Philanthropist, Panegyrist
  
  

4. Error Detection
   
   

• Sentence: Since the 1990s, the Indian economy grew impressively, but it remains far behind China in its global competitiveness.
  
  

• Error: "grew"
  
  

• Correct Sentence: Since the 1990s, the Indian economy has grown impressively, but it remains far behind China in its global competitiveness.
  
  

• Answer: B (has grown)
  
  

5. Error Detection
   
   

• Sentence: Exams and tests are important, no doubt, but should be regarded only a measure of learning.
  
  

• Error: "only a measure"
  
  

• Correct Sentence: Exams and tests are important, no doubt, but should be regarded only as a measure of learning.
  
  

• Answer: B (should be regarded only as)
  
  

6. Grammar Question
   
   

• Frail
  
  

• Options:
  a) Elaborate
  b) Fancy
  c) Weak
  d) Robust
  
  

• Answer: c) Weak
  
  

7. Spelling Correction
   
   

• Incorrect: rejuenation
  
  

• Correct: Rejuvenation

Other Grammar Tips

• "Looked down upon" means despised, which is a correct understanding when it comes to phrasal verbs in sentences.
  
  

• "Cut down" means to reduce something, which is an example of a simple phrasal verb used in daily grammar.

The Hindu Editorial 16 December 2025

Editorial: "Massacre in Sydney: On the Bondi Beach Shootings, Hate Crimes"

Bondi Beach, one of Australia's most iconic locations, became the site of a massacre on December 14, during the first day of Hanukkah, when two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish gathering. At least 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, were killed, and 40 others were injured. The attackers, a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, both had licensed firearms. The father was shot dead by the police, while the son was taken to the hospital under custody.

This attack marks the deadliest shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which claimed 35 lives. In recent years, antisemitic incidents targeting Australia's Jewish community, which makes up just 0.4% of the population, have been increasing. The country witnessed attacks on kosher businesses and a firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne. In response to such incidents, Australia expelled Iranian diplomats, accusing the country of directing these attacks. Following the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza, antisemitic incidents in Australia rose by 316%, with over 2,000 cases reported between October 2023 and September 2024.

Vocabulary and Questions:

1. The incident at Bondi Beach occurred on which significant day?
   
   

• A. Christmas
  
  

• B. Australia Day
  
  

• C. The first day of Hanukkah
  
  

• D. New Year’s Day
  Answer: C
  
  

2. The Bondi Beach attack is compared to which earlier tragedy in Australia?
   
   

• A. Sydney Siege
  
  

• B. Port Arthur massacre
  
  

• C. Melbourne bombing
  
  

• D. Canberra shootings
  Answer: B
  
  

3. How did the police respond to the attackers?
   
   

• A. Both attackers were arrested alive
  
  

• B. Both attackers were shot dead
  
  

• C. The father was killed and the son arrested
  
  

• D. The son escaped custody
  Answer: C
  
  

4. Which incidents reflect the rise in antisemitic acts mentioned in the passage?
   
   

• A. Cyberattacks on government offices
  
  

• B. Attacks on kosher businesses and synagogues
  
  

• C. Protests against immigration
  
  

• D. Violence in universities
  Answer: B
  
  

5. Which country was accused by Australia of directing such attacks?
   
   

• A. Syria
  
  

• B. Russia
  
  

• C. Iran
  
  

• D. Iraq
  Answer: C