inexorable
Americanadjective
-
inexorable truth;
inexorable justice.
-
not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties.
an inexorable creditor.
- Synonyms:
- pitiless, cruel, merciless, implacable, unrelenting, unbending
adjective
-
not able to be moved by entreaty or persuasion
-
relentless
Synonym Usage
See inflexible.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inexorable
From the Latin word inexōrābilis, dating back to 1545–55. See in- 3, exorable
Explanation
When a person is inexorable, they're stubborn. When a thing or process is inexorable, it can't be stopped. This is a word for people and things that will not change direction. An inexorable person is hard-headed and cannot be convinced to change their mind, no matter what. You can also say that a process, like the progress of a deadly illness, is inexorable because it can't be stopped. A speeding train with no brakes is inexorable; it's not stopping till it crashes. When you see the word inexorable, think "No one's stopping that."
Vocabulary lists containing inexorable
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bonino served as a European commissioner and a foreign minister in Italy but was best known as a militant feminist with an inexorable dedication to political and humanitarian causes.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
The Japanese currency touched an almost seven-month high against the U.S. dollar, a sharp turnaround from its seemingly inexorable slide this summer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Nothing yet has stopped the inexorable rise in college costs, but there may be signs that government regulations, financial-aid rule changes and family behaviors could start to curb tuition inflation.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
It rules the Mississippi as definitively as the pyramids of Egypt rule the Nile, but speaking of a bright future rather than inexorable fate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
It soared with what seemed to me inexorable and dangerous purpose, as if there were no power in the universe that could stop it.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
