inviolable

American  

[in-vahy-uh-luh-buhl] / ɪnˈvaɪ ə lə bəl /

adjective

1. prohibiting violation; secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration.

   an inviolable sanctuary;

   an inviolable promise.

2. incapable of being violated; impregnable; unassailable.

   inviolable secrecy.

---

inviolable British  

/ ɪnˈvaɪələbəl /

adjective

1. that must not or cannot be transgressed, dishonoured, or broken; to be kept sacred

   an inviolable oath

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• inviolably
  adverb
• inviolability
  noun

Etymology

Origin of inviolable

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inviolābilis; see in- ³, violable

Explanation

Wedding vows and vault combinations that can’t be broken are considered inviolable. (Of course, divorce lawyers and bank robbers consider this a challenge.) The word can refer to a physical structure (a fortress, for instance) or something more conceptual (human rights or morals, perhaps). Inviolable has changed little from its Latin origin of inviolabilis, which combines the prefix in- (meaning "not") with the verb violare ("to violate"). Inviolable turns up in religious settings too, usually in reference to texts or rites. In that context, it means "sacred." No surprise: the antonym of inviolable is violable ("accessible or penetrable").

Example Sentences

Inviolable sanctuary has been upheld even in hours of international conflict.

From Time Magazine Archive

And when all their legal Attempts to lessen that Liberty had prov'd Abortive, her Solunarian Majesty on all Occasions repeating her assurances of the continuance of her Protection, and particularly the maintaining this Tolleration Inviolable.

From The Consolidator or, Memoirs of Sundry Transactions from the World in the Moon by Defoe, Daniel

The leaves, like women, interchange   Sagacious confidence; Somewhat of nods, and somewhat of   Portentous inference, The parties in both cases   Enjoining secrecy, — Inviolable compact   To notoriety.

From Poems by Emily Dickinson, Series Two by Todd, Mabel Loomis

The true peace of the world will be a place of refuge much less like a beleaguered fortress and more, let us hope, in the nature of an Inviolable Temple. 

From Notes on Life and Letters by Conrad, Joseph

May the Almighty ever have you and them in his protection yours with the most Inviolable affection Oliver Wolcott.

From The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn by Johnston, Henry P.

Related Words

• sacrosanct