inclement

American  

[in-klem-uhnt] / ɪnˈklɛm ənt /

adjective

1. (of the weather, the elements, etc.) severe, rough, or harsh; stormy.

2. not kind or merciful.

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inclement British  

/ ɪnˈklɛmənt /

adjective

1. (of weather) stormy, severe, or tempestuous

2. harsh, severe, or merciless

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Other Word Forms

• inclemency noun
• inclemently adverb
• inclementness noun

Etymology

Origin of inclement

1615–25; < Latin inclēment-, equivalent to in- in- ³ + clēment- (stem of clēmēns ) clement

Example Sentences

The inclement weather and a pitch that has been sweating under covers mean England will delay naming their side until Sunday's toss, breaking with their tradition of announcing their eleven 24 hours in advance.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

Shake Shack said inclement weather in some of its most heavily penetrated markets hurt sales during the recent quarter, resulting in lower than expected revenue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

Cal Fire reported that firefighting aircraft had been grounded due to inclement weather as winds were blowing at 12 to 16 mph out of the south, with gusts up to 24 mph.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025

But for all normal inclement weather that you encounter, which is a lot of dust storms, a lot of rain, and then day and night operation, our system handles it already today.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

At that hour of the morning there was not a soul on the wooden platform, its roof eaten away by inclement weather and ants.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende