Daily Vocabulary – 04 July 2026
Important Words for SSC, Banking and All Other Competitive Exams
The daily vocabulary is very important for understanding current affairs, reading editorials, writing essays, and the Objective English section. Today's list of words consists of those that have been appearing frequently in newspapers, PIB, etc.
1. Perfunctory (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /pəˈfʌŋk.tər.i/ (per-FUNK-tuh-ree)
Hindi Meaning: औपचारिक, बिना रुचि के किया गया
English Meaning: Done with little interest, care, or effort, only because it is required.
Easy Meaning: Done just for formality.
Synonyms: Mechanical, Casual, Half-hearted, Routine
Antonyms: Thorough, Careful, Sincere, Enthusiastic
Example Sentence: He gave a perfunctory apology before leaving.
Additional Example: The officer made only a perfunctory inspection.
Memory Trick: Perfunctory = Perform + Formality.
Word Family: Perfunctorily (Adv)
Common Collocations: Perfunctory glance, Perfunctory apology, Perfunctory inspection
Common Mistake: It doesn't mean "quick"; it means "without genuine effort."
Correct Usage: Use it when someone performs a duty without interest.
One-Line Revision: Perfunctory = Done Without Interest
2. Intransigent (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtræn.sɪ.dʒənt/ (in-TRAN-si-juhnt)
Hindi Meaning: अड़ियल, समझौता न करने वाला
English Meaning: Refusing to change opinions or compromise.
Easy Meaning: Someone who never agrees to compromise.
Synonyms: Uncompromising, Obstinate, Adamant, Stubborn
Antonyms: Flexible, Cooperative, Agreeable, Open-minded
Example Sentence: The union remained intransigent during the negotiations.
Additional Example: His intransigent attitude delayed the agreement.
Memory Trick: Intransigent = Impossible to Change.
Word Family: Intransigence (Noun)
Common Collocations: Intransigent leader, Intransigent attitude, Intransigent stance
Common Mistake: Don't confuse it with "confident."
Correct Usage: Use for someone refusing compromise.
One-Line Revision: Intransigent = Refusing to Compromise
3. Redoubtable (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /rɪˈdaʊ.tə.bəl/ (ri-DOW-tuh-buhl)
Hindi Meaning: दुर्जेय, अत्यंत प्रभावशाली
English Meaning: Inspiring fear or respect because of strength or ability.
Easy Meaning: Very powerful and difficult to defeat.
Synonyms: Formidable, Fearsome, Powerful, Mighty
Antonyms: Weak, Harmless, Helpless, Feeble
Example Sentence: She proved to be a redoubtable opponent.
Additional Example: The team defeated a redoubtable rival.
Memory Trick: Redoubtable = Double Power.
Word Family: Redoubt (Noun)
Common Collocations: Redoubtable opponent, Redoubtable leader, Redoubtable force
Common Mistake: It is usually a compliment showing great strength.
Correct Usage: Use for someone highly respected because of ability.
One-Line Revision: Redoubtable = Formidably Powerful
4. Pulchritude (Noun)
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌl.krɪ.tjuːd/ (PUL-kri-tood)
Hindi Meaning: सौंदर्य, सुंदरता
English Meaning: Physical beauty.
Easy Meaning: Great beauty.
Synonyms: Beauty, Attractiveness, Elegance, Loveliness
Antonyms: Ugliness, Plainness, Homeliness
Example Sentence: The poet admired the pulchritude of nature.
Additional Example: Her pulchritude attracted everyone's attention.
Memory Trick: Pulchritude = Pretty Beauty.
Word Family: Pulchritudinous (Adjective)
Common Collocations: Natural pulchritude, Feminine pulchritude, Timeless pulchritude
Common Mistake: It refers only to beauty, not character.
Correct Usage: Use in formal English for physical beauty.
One-Line Revision: Pulchritude = Physical Beauty
5. Mendacious (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /menˈdeɪ.ʃəs/ (men-DAY-shus)
Hindi Meaning: झूठा, असत्य बोलने वाला
English Meaning: Not telling the truth; dishonest.
Easy Meaning: Habitually telling lies.
Synonyms: Deceitful, Dishonest, False, Untruthful
Antonyms: Honest, Truthful, Frank, Sincere
Example Sentence: The witness gave a mendacious statement.
Additional Example: The report exposed the politician's mendacious claims.
Memory Trick: Mendacious = Many False Statements.
Word Family: Mendacity (Noun)
Common Collocations: Mendacious statement, Mendacious claim, Mendacious politician
Common Mistake: It describes a person or statement that is false—not a simple mistake.
Correct Usage: Use for deliberate lies.
One-Line Revision: Mendacious = Habitually Dishonest
6. Inveterate (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvet.ər.ət/ (in-VET-er-uht)
Hindi Meaning: पुराना, आदतन, पक्का
English Meaning: Having a particular habit, activity, or interest for a very long time that is difficult to change.
Easy Meaning: A habit that has become permanent.
Synonyms: Habitual, Chronic, Confirmed, Established
Antonyms: Occasional, Temporary, New, Sporadic
Example Sentence: He is an inveterate smoker despite repeated warnings.
Additional Example: She is an inveterate traveler who visits a new country every year.
Memory Trick: Inveterate = In + Veteran → An old, deeply rooted habit.
Word Family: Inveterately (Adv)
Common Collocations: Inveterate liar, Inveterate gambler, Inveterate smoker
Common Mistake: It usually describes long-standing habits, especially bad ones.
Correct Usage: Use for habits that are firmly established.
One-Line Revision: Inveterate = Long-Established Habit
7. Perspicacious (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/ (per-spi-KAY-shus)
Hindi Meaning: तीक्ष्ण बुद्धि वाला, दूरदर्शी
English Meaning: Having a quick understanding and excellent judgment.
Easy Meaning: Very intelligent and quick to understand.
Synonyms: Insightful, Astute, Shrewd, Wise
Antonyms: Foolish, Ignorant, Naive, Unwise
Example Sentence: The perspicacious detective solved the mystery quickly.
Additional Example: Her perspicacious observations impressed the judges.
Memory Trick: Perspicacious = See Clearly.
Word Family: Perspicacity (Noun)
Common Collocations: Perspicacious leader, Perspicacious analysis, Perspicacious observer
Common Mistake: Don't confuse it with perspicuous, which means "clear to understand."
Correct Usage: Use for people with sharp judgment.
One-Line Revision: Perspicacious = Highly Insightful
8. Recondite (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ˈrek.ən.daɪt/ (REK-un-dite)
Hindi Meaning: अत्यंत कठिन, गूढ़
English Meaning: Difficult to understand because it is very specialized or obscure.
Easy Meaning: Very difficult to understand.
Synonyms: Obscure, Complex, Esoteric, Cryptic
Antonyms: Simple, Clear, Easy, Obvious
Example Sentence: The professor explained a recondite theory.
Additional Example: The book deals with recondite philosophical ideas.
Memory Trick: Recondite = Read and Can't Understand.
Word Family: Reconditely (Adv)
Common Collocations: Recondite subject, Recondite theory, Recondite language
Common Mistake: It refers to ideas, theories, or subjects—not people.
Correct Usage: Use for highly technical or difficult concepts.
One-Line Revision: Recondite = Extremely Difficult to Understand
9. Lugubrious (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /luːˈɡuː.bri.əs/ (loo-GOO-bree-us)
Hindi Meaning: उदास, शोकपूर्ण
English Meaning: Looking or sounding sad and gloomy.
Easy Meaning: Very sad and depressed.
Synonyms: Mournful, Gloomy, Melancholy, Dismal
Antonyms: Cheerful, Joyful, Bright, Happy
Example Sentence: He wore a lugubrious expression after hearing the news.
Additional Example: The movie had a lugubrious ending.
Memory Trick: Lugubrious = Looks Gloomy.
Word Family: Lugubriously (Adv)
Common Collocations: Lugubrious expression, Lugubrious mood, Lugubrious voice
Common Mistake: It describes appearance, mood, or tone—not events.
Correct Usage: Use when someone appears deeply sad.
One-Line Revision: Lugubrious = Deeply Gloomy
10. Truculent (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ˈtrʌk.jə.lənt/ (TRUK-yuh-luhnt)
Hindi Meaning: लड़ाकू, आक्रामक, झगड़ालू
English Meaning: Eager to argue, fight, or behave aggressively.
Easy Meaning: Aggressively ready to fight.
Synonyms: Belligerent, Hostile, Aggressive, Combative
Antonyms: Peaceful, Gentle, Friendly, Calm
Example Sentence: The truculent customer started shouting at the staff.
Additional Example: His truculent behavior created tension in the meeting.
Memory Trick: Truculent = Trouble + Violent.
Word Family: Truculence (Noun)
Common Collocations: Truculent behavior, Truculent attitude, Truculent response
Common Mistake: It implies aggressive hostility, not just anger.
Correct Usage: Use for people who are ready to fight or argue.
One-Line Revision: Truculent = Aggressively Hostile
11. Abstemious (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /æbˈstiː.mi.əs/ (ab-STEE-mee-us)
Hindi Meaning: संयमी, विशेषकर भोजन और पेय में
English Meaning: Not eating or drinking excessively; self-controlled in consumption.
Easy Meaning: Someone who eats and drinks in moderation.
Synonyms: Temperate, Moderate, Self-disciplined, Restrained
Antonyms: Gluttonous, Excessive, Indulgent, Intemperate
Example Sentence: She remained abstemious despite the lavish feast.
Additional Example: An abstemious lifestyle helped him stay healthy.
Memory Trick: Abstemious = Abstain from Too Much.
Word Family: Abstemiously (Adv), Abstemiousness (Noun)
Common Collocations: Abstemious lifestyle, Abstemious habits, Abstemious diet
Common Mistake: It mainly refers to moderation in eating and drinking, not all habits.
Correct Usage: Use for people who avoid excess, especially in food and drink.
One-Line Revision: Abstemious = Moderate in Eating and Drinking
12. Pusillanimous (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ˌpjuː.sɪˈlæn.ɪ.məs/ (pyoo-si-LAN-i-mus)
Hindi Meaning: कायर, डरपोक
English Meaning: Showing a lack of courage or determination.
Easy Meaning: Very cowardly.
Synonyms: Cowardly, Timid, Faint-hearted, Spineless
Antonyms: Brave, Courageous, Bold, Fearless
Example Sentence: The general criticized the pusillanimous soldiers.
Additional Example: A leader should never be pusillanimous during a crisis.
Memory Trick: Pusillanimous = Pussy + No Courage (memory aid only).
Word Family: Pusillanimity (Noun)
Common Collocations: Pusillanimous attitude, Pusillanimous behavior, Pusillanimous decision
Common Mistake: It refers to lack of courage, not physical weakness.
Correct Usage: Use for someone who avoids action because of fear.
One-Line Revision: Pusillanimous = Cowardly
13. Munificent (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /mjuːˈnɪf.ɪ.sənt/ (myoo-NIF-i-sunt)
Hindi Meaning: अत्यंत उदार, दानशील
English Meaning: Very generous in giving money, gifts, or help.
Easy Meaning: Extremely generous.
Synonyms: Generous, Charitable, Benevolent, Liberal
Antonyms: Miserly, Stingy, Mean, Selfish
Example Sentence: The philanthropist made a munificent donation to the hospital.
Additional Example: They received munificent support from the organization.
Memory Trick: Munificent = Money + Magnificent Giving.
Word Family: Munificence (Noun)
Common Collocations: Munificent donation, Munificent gift, Munificent benefactor
Common Mistake: It expresses extraordinary generosity, not ordinary kindness.
Correct Usage: Use for large or generous acts of giving.
One-Line Revision: Munificent = Extremely Generous
14. Inimical (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /ɪˈnɪm.ɪ.kəl/ (ih-NIM-i-kul)
Hindi Meaning: प्रतिकूल, शत्रुतापूर्ण, हानिकारक
English Meaning: Harmful or unfriendly; likely to cause damage.
Easy Meaning: Against someone or something.
Synonyms: Hostile, Adverse, Harmful, Unfriendly
Antonyms: Friendly, Favorable, Helpful, Beneficial
Example Sentence: Pollution is inimical to public health.
Additional Example: His inimical attitude ruined the partnership.
Memory Trick: Inimical = Enemy-like.
Word Family: Inimically (Adv)
Common Collocations: Inimical to health, Inimical attitude, Inimical interests
Common Mistake: It is usually followed by "to" (e.g., inimical to progress).
Correct Usage: Use when something is harmful or opposed to something.
One-Line Revision: Inimical = Harmful or Hostile
15. Sagacious (Adjective)
Pronunciation: /səˈɡeɪ.ʃəs/ (suh-GAY-shus)
Hindi Meaning: बुद्धिमान, दूरदर्शी, विवेकशील
English Meaning: Having excellent judgment and wisdom.
Easy Meaning: Wise and able to make good decisions.
Synonyms: Wise, Prudent, Judicious, Insightful
Antonyms: Foolish, Unwise, Rash, Imprudent
Example Sentence: The sagacious judge delivered a fair verdict.
Additional Example: Her sagacious advice saved the company from heavy losses.
Memory Trick: Sagacious = Sage = Wise Person.
Word Family: Sagacity (Noun), Sagaciously (Adv)
Common Collocations: Sagacious leader, Sagacious advice, Sagacious decision
Common Mistake: It refers to wisdom and sound judgment, not merely intelligence.
Correct Usage: Use for people who consistently make wise decisions.
One-Line Revision: Sagacious = Wise and Judicious
Quick Revision
| No. | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perfunctory | Done Without Interest |
| 2 | Intransigent | Refusing to Compromise |
| 3 | Redoubtable | Formidably Powerful |
| 4 | Pulchritude | Physical Beauty |
| 5 | Mendacious | Habitually Dishonest |
| 6 | Inveterate | Long-Established Habit |
| 7 | Perspicacious | Highly Insightful |
| 8 | Recondite | Extremely Difficult to Understand |
| 9 | Lugubrious | Deeply Gloomy |
| 10 | Truculent | Aggressively Hostile |
| 11 | Abstemious | Moderate in Eating and Drinking |
| 12 | Pusillanimous | Cowardly |
| 13 | Munificent | Extremely Generous |
| 14 | Inimical | Harmful or Hostile |
| 15 | Sagacious | Wise and Judicious |