Daily editorial vocabulary · 5 November 2026
The Hindu editorial, 5 November 2026
What today's editorials said in short, then 10 hard words with the meaning they have in that sentence. Select any word on this page to see how ftak explains it.
Damning report: On Justice Muralidhar's report on Israeli atrocities
A UN commission led by retired Indian judge S. Muralidhar told the General Assembly that Israeli forces are still committing war crimes and genocide a year after the 2025 ceasefire, and that more than 75,000 Palestinians have been killed since 2023. Little has happened: the Assembly can't enforce anything and the Security Council is blocked by the U.S. The editorial says India's silence, while it abstains at the UN and keeps selling Israel arms, goes against its own stated principles.
Read the full editorial on The HinduHelping hand: On Cyclones Arnab and Murasu
Two cyclones, Arnab and Murasu, hit the Andhra Pradesh coast within a week, but years of preparation and a fast response kept deaths to 12, against 63 in Cyclone Hudhud in 2014. Crop losses are large in Andhra and Odisha. The editorial wants a better crop insurance scheme, since PM Fasal Bima Yojana still leaves many farmers uncovered, and more central money for rebuilding when public infrastructure is badly damaged.
Read the full editorial on The HinduVocabulary from the editorials
1.couch (verb)
to express something in a particular way or style of words
“…did not couch his words in ambiguity…”
Similar: phrase, word
2.unequivocal (adjective)
clear and certain, leaving no room for doubt
“…the unequivocal conclusion was that Israeli security forces continued to commit war crimes…”
Similar: clear, definite
3.effected (verb)
made something happen; brought about (not the same as "affected")
“…have not thus far effected much action…”
Similar: caused, achieved
4.withheld (verb)
refused to give something that was asked for or expected
“…the U.S. withheld grant of a visa…”
Similar: held back, denied
5.abstained (verb)
chose not to vote either for or against
“…India has abstained from UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire…”
Similar: declined to vote, stayed out
6.ordnance (noun)
military weapons and ammunition, especially artillery shells and bombs
“…continuing to supply it with arms, ammunition, ordnance and drone parts…”
Similar: munitions, weaponry
7.landfall (noun)
the moment a storm moving over the sea reaches the coast
“…Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall on October 28…”
Similar: coming ashore, arrival on land
8.vagaries (noun)
sudden changes that nobody can predict or control
“…as they suffer due to the vagaries of nature…”
Similar: whims, unpredictability
9.nudge (noun)
a gentle push to get someone to do something
“…following the 15th Finance Commission's nudge…”
Similar: prompt, push
10.cooperative federalism (phrase)
the Centre and the States working together as partners instead of against each other
“…must act in the spirit of "cooperative federalism"…”
Similar: Centre-State partnership
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