implacable
Americanadjective
adjective
-
incapable of being placated or pacified; unappeasable
-
inflexible; intractable
Synonym Usage
See inflexible.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of implacable
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word implācābilis. See im- 2, placable
Explanation
An implacable person just can’t be appeased. If you really offended your best friend and tried every kind of apology but she refused to speak to you again, you could describe her as implacable. Implacable is derived from the verb to placate, which means to soothe, or to appease. If you’re babysitting and the kid starts screaming the moment that his parents leave the house, and nothing you give him, be it a toy or ice cream, can calm him down, he might seem implacable. But try the TV. It tends to turn screaming kids into silent, happy zombies.
Vocabulary lists containing implacable
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Grade 11, List 3
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More Negative Words to Describe a Person
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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.
In Jefferson’s mind Henry was a lazy lightweight, Hamilton a monarchist and a coward, Burr an insurrectionist and Marshall an implacable foe.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Barnier was also famous for being seemingly implacable in the face of British demands for a 'special deal' from the EU.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
Supreme Court historically used Asian Americans’ supposedly implacable foreignness to justify greater, institutionally enforced apartness.
From Slate • May 26, 2026
If she’s not in cahoots with the unnervingly blasé doctor, she’s at least in agreement with the implacable timetable he’s laid out.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
Colonel Cathcart had nursed an implacable grudge against Major Major for a long time.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions 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.
