skill, ability, courage

Michael Phelps showed his prowess in the Olympics by winning many gold medals.

implied, unspoken

The janitor and I have a tacit agreement that if he fixes my heat, I will give him chocolate.

controlled, dominated

The Yankees fans subjected me to many colorful insults and flying frenchfries at the Red Sox game.

epidemic, disease or plague

H1N1 is a pestilence that will continue to occur throughout the winter.

goodness, kind-hearted

The benevolence of the American people was evident during the recent crisis in Haiti.

education, knowledge, information

I repeated the directions once again, for the edification of the class.

calling, signaling

The beckoning scent of brownies made my stomach growl.

cutting up or severing a limb

In some cultures, the punishment for theft is dismemberment; the thief's hand is cut off.

deadly, evil, harmful

The purple storm clouds hovered over us like malignant marshmallows.