Make Your Point > Archived Issues > INEXORABLE

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connect today's word to others: Imagine a boulder rolling--heavily, forcefully, inexorably--down a hill. Something inexorable can't be stopped; it shows no pity; it's cruel.  For example, inexorable facts or truths are those that continue to exist in the face of denials or opposition. Here's Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The plain, inexorable fact was that any attempt of the American Negro to overthrow his oppressor with violence would not work." Here, the "fact" is inexorable, like the boulder rolling down a hill, unstoppable. But say you want to emphasize how a stubborn fact isn't quite like that boulder rolling down a hill but rather like a boulder sitting still, unmoving, refusing to budge. Then you might not call it an inexorable fact: you might call it an ad___nt fact. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "INEXORABLE" We haven't used the word "exorate" since the 1600s, but it means "to beg, to request, to pray for something." (In "exorate," the "ex" part means "out," and the "ora" part means "pray or speak.") So, someone or something exorable can be prayed to: you can make requests of them, and they'll listen, respond, and maybe show mercy. (We don't use the word "exorable" anymore, either.) That brings us to our main word, "inexorable." Inexorable things can't be stopped with our prayers. In other words, something inexorable is harsh, severe, merciless, unstoppable, and/or unresponsive to people's begging.     Pronunciation: in ECK sur uh bull Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "an inexorable thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was inexorable.") Other forms: inexorably, inexorability/inexorableness How to use it: The word "inexorable" is harsh, formal, and dramatic. Call anything inexorable if it seems to move, occur, increase, or worsen in a way that's cruel, merciless, and deaf to people's objections and prayers. You might talk about inexorable forces, pressures, cycles, events, movements, and processes, as well as inexorable increases and decreases and inexorable growth and loss. Let's get more specific: talk about inexorable aging, inexorable demands, inexorable doom or fate or destiny, the inexorable march of time, the inexorable laws of nature, the inexorable approach of death, or the inexorable turnover of employees in a fast-food restaurant. Lastly, even though "inexorable" usually has a negative tone, it can, on occasion, be positive: "her inexorable determination," "his inexorable resolve," "that reassuring and inexorable logic." examples: Even with laws in place to control rental prices, city dwellers find their cost of living rising inexorably. He had another work dream last night, the kind where he struggles to keep up with the customers and their inexorable demands. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "inexorable" means when you can explain it without saying "unyielding" or "implacable." try it out: Fill in the blank: "(A dreaded day, event, or deadline) approached, inexorably." Example: "The day of my presentation approached, inexorably." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. "Bits & Pieces." This month, we're playing with affixes and combining forms, the bits and pieces of our language, matching them to their meanings. The more of these bits and pieces you know, the better you are at decoding unfamiliar words, which is sooo satisfying! I'll share the answers in each subsequent issue. Here are the answers from our previous issue: 1. "cine-" means "film." 2. "-phile" means "enthusiast." 3. "-meister" means "expert." 4. "klepto-" means "thieving." 5. "-mongery" means "trade or traffic." Try this set today. It's all about positioning: 1. "juxta-" means _____. 2. "epi-" means _____. 3. "plagio-" means _____. 4. "tele-" means _____. 5. "ecto-" means _____.    Answer bank:       A. slanted       B. distance       C. near or next to       D. outside       E. at or upon review today's word: 1. A close opposite of INEXORABLE is A. IDYLLIC. B. IMPERIAL. C. INERT. 2. Her _____ reveal her inexorable resolve. A. squared shoulders and steely glare B. raised eyebrows and focused gaze C. deep slouch and quivering lip Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. A