ra • di • us n., bound, circular area with a specified distance from the center to the edge. The impact of the quake was felt by people within a 60-mile radius.

in • ev • i • ta • ble adj., unavoidable. When the last engine failed, the pilot realized a crash landing was inevitable.

mol • ten adj., liquefied by heat. The volcano spewed molten lava.

la • den adj., carrying a load or burden. The basket was laden with fruit.

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sur • mount v., climb; overcome (an obstacle). During training, the soldiers had to surmount a fifteen-foot wall.

fore • bod • ing n., prediction or sign of something bad to come. The stormy weather seemed to be a foreboding of trouble on its way.

im • pu • ni • ty n., freedom from punishment. Grandma’s cat is spoiled; she allows it to climb on the counters with impunity.

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con • glom • er • a • tion n., mixture or collection. The closet held a conglomeration of skiing equipment, boots, and coats.

fab • ri • cat • ed adj., constructed, pieced together. The motor in the old car was fabricated of odds and ends found in a junkyard, but it ran perfectly.

scru • ti • ny n., careful examination. Upon scrutiny of the crime scene, evidence was found.

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pa • the • tic adj., causing pity; sad. “You’re pathetic,” I told Howie after he made a stupid remark.

in • co • her • ent adj., not able to be understood. The static on the phone made her voice incoherent.

fu • til • i • ty n., uselessness. After two hours of searching, we accepted the futility of ever finding Jim’s lost contact lens.

im • pla • ca • ble adj., not able to be appeased or bargained with. Cory tried to calm the baby’s cries with a bottle, but the baby was implacable.

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lope v., run in an easy, bounding way. The horse loped happily along until I urged him into a full gallop.

shrewd adj., clever; aware. Chantel is a shrewd proofreader who finds and corrects errors before she turns a paper in to the teacher.

im • ple • ment v., put to use. I was able to implement my Spanish skills in my job as a counselor.

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in • ex • o • ra • ble adj., relentless. Time is inexorable: it marches on and no one can stop it. inexorably, adv.

res • pite n., rest. Vacation offers a brief respite from the day-to-day routine.

un • can • ny adj., eerie; supernatural. The small child had an almost uncanny ability to solve difficult math equations.

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te • na • cious adj., tending to cling or grab hold. The tenacious rock climber gripped the side of the cliff.

in • ju • di • cious adj., unwise. The candidate lost the election because of her injudicious comment that she would raise taxes.

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sod • den adj., heavy with water. The marathoners’ shoes were sodden after the sudden downpour.

ca • li • brate v., adjust precisely. This exercise bicycle can be calibrated to correspond to whatever distance or speed you prefer.

fre • ne • tic adj., frantic; frenzied. The food server rushed around at a frenetic pace as more and more diners arrived.

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ma • ca • bre adj., gruesome, horrible. The Halloween mask was appropriately macabre.

de • tach • ment n., indifference to worldly concerns. The Buddhist monks lived apart from the rest of society and felt a detachment from everyday concerns.

em • bod • i • ment n., something in bodily form. My sister thought that Elvis Presley was the embodiment of bad taste.

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dis • pas • sion • ate adj., not influenced by emotion. A good judge is dispassionate: he or she puts aside sympathy for the victim and bases a decision on the evidence. dispassionately, adv.

so • li • ci • tude n., care and concern. The mother’s tender solicitude toward her children was lovely to see.