THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- September 3, 2016- Topic 1

The terror in the Philippines

It may be unfair, or at least much too PREMATURE, to suggest that Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s strongman rule is a THROWBACK to the brutal dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. But the fact is that after a period of sustained and often SPECTACULAR economic growth, even if there has been little of the trickle-down effect, the country has suddenly become a political hot spot under the rule of what global investors describe as a WILD card President. Hopes that his landslide win in May would influence the brusque-mannered MAVERICK to moderate his populist RHETORIC have been belied as Mr. Duterte seems determined to carry out his PLEDGE to kill 100,000 criminals to bring security to the country.
Official figures state that about 1,800 people have been killed by the police and in extrajudicial murders committed by VIGILANTE groups in pursuit of Mr. Duterte’s so-called war on drugs since he assumed office in July. He has also THREATENED to restore the death penalty to root out crime and drugs. In fact, in a brazen display of his alleged COMPLICITY in criminal conduct, Mr. Duterte once quipped that the death squads he backed had in fact eliminated more than twice the number that human rights groups claimed. His reign has struck such terror among the people that some 600,000 potential suspects have thought it better to simply turn themselves in to the authorities.

Mr. Duterte’s ABRASIVE style is APPARENTLY fettered neither by respect for the religious SENSIBILITIES in his majority Catholic country nor the diplomatic NICETIES expected of a nation’s leader. He resorted to an EXPLETIVE to vent his ire at the traffic snarl during the visit of Pope Francis. On another occasion, he lashed out against the United Nations for criticising the human rights situation in the Philippines, saying that his country would quit the organisation. Mr. Duterte is evidently unmindful of the JARRING note his remarks strike; as many as 10 per cent of Filipinos are resident overseas, contributing SUBSTANTIAL remittances to the domestic economy. Mr. Duterte’s shrill rhetoric is, perhaps quite predictably, prompting comparisons among activists and commentators with the equally PUGNACIOUS U.S. presidential nominee, Donald Trump. But there is a larger long-term significance for any society from the electoral success of a rabble-rouser political figure such as Mr. Duterte. This is the IMPERATIVE of timely intervention to contain and correct the social and political damage that INEVITABLY results from economic growth, if it is not INCLUSIVE or sustainable. The mandate handed to Mr. Duterte was not out of the way for large sections of the people that were IMPATIENT for more. Change was what they yearned for; what shape it would take was perhaps beyond their GRASP.

::::::::::::::::::::::Meanings with example And Synonyms:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Premature: occurring or done before the usual or proper time; too early.

Example: The sun can cause premature aging

synonyms: Untimely, (Too) Early, Unseasonable, Before Time; Rash, Ill-Considered, Overhasty

Spectacular: beautiful in a dramatic and eye-catching way.

Example: Spectacular Mountain Scenery

synonyms:  striking, picturesque, eyecatching, breathtaking, arresting, glorious, out of this world

Throwback: a reversion to an earlier ancestral characteristic.

Example:  the eyes could be an ancestral throwback

Wild: Uncontrolled Or Unrestrained, Especially In Pursuit Of Pleasure.

Example: She went through a wild phase of drunken parties and desperate affairs

synonyms: Uncontrolled, Unrestrained, Outofcontrol, Undisciplined, Unruly, Rowdy

Maverick: an unorthodox or independent-minded person.

Example: a maverick among Connecticut Republicans

synonyms: Individualist, Nonconformist, Free Spirit, Unorthodox Person, Original

Rhetoric: the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

Example: Born into a rich provincial family, he studied philosophy as well as rhetoric and law.

synonyms: Oratory, Eloquence, Command of language, Way with words

Pledge: a solemn promise or undertaking.

Example: the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution

synonyms:  Promise, Word Of Honor, Commitment, Assurance, Oath

Threatened: State one's intention to take hostile action against someone in retribution for something done or not done.

Example: The unions threatened a general strike

synonyms: Menace, Intimidate, Browbeat, Bully, Blackmail, Terrorize

Complicity: The state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.

Example: They were accused of complicity in the attempt to overthrow the government

synonyms: Collusion, Involvement, Collaboration, Connivance, Conspiracy

Abrasive: (of a person or manner) showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.

Example: Her abrasive and arrogant personal style won her few friends

synonyms: Caustic, Cutting, Biting, Acerbic, Rough, Harsh, Hard, Tough, Sharp, Grating, Curt

Apparently: as far as one knows or can see.

Example: The child nodded, apparently content with the promise

synonyms: Seemingly, Evidently, It Seems (That), It Appears (That), It Would Seem (That)

Sensibilities: The ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences; sensitivity.

Example: The study of literature leads to a growth of intelligence and sensibility

synonyms: Sensitivity, Finerfeelings, Delicacy, Taste, Discrimination, Discernment

Expletive: an oath or swear word.

Example: She let out a long string of oaths and expletives , carefully picking herself up from the floor.

synonyms: Swear Word, Obscenity, Profanity, Oath, Curse, Dirty Word

Niceties: a fine detail or distinction, especially one regarded as intricate and fussy.

Example: She was never interested in the niceties of Greek and Latin

synonyms: Subtlety, Fine Point, Nuance, Refinement, Detail

Substantial: concerning the essentials of something.

Example: There was substantial agreement on changing policies

synonyms: Fundamental, Essential, Basic

Pugnacious: eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.

Example: The increasingly pugnacious demeanor of politicians

synonyms: Combative, Aggressive, Antagonistic, Belligerent, Bellicose, Warlike

Imperative: of vital importance; crucial.

Example: Immediate action was imperative

synonyms: Vitally Important, All-Important, Vital, Crucial, Critical, Essential

Inevitably: as is certain to happen; unavoidably.

Example: Inevitably some details are already out of date

synonyms:  Naturally, Necessarily, Automatically, As A Matter Of Course, Of Necessity

Impatient: having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked.

Example: An impatient motorist blaring his horn

synonyms: Irritated, Annoyed, Angry, Testy, Tetchy, Snappy, Cross, Querulous, Peevish

Grasp: a firm hold or grip.

Example: The child slipped from her grasp

synonyms: Grip, Hold, Clutch, Clasp, Clench; Control, Power, Clutches, Command, Domination