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.

---

inclement British  

/ ɪnˈklɛmənt /

adjective

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

2. harsh, severe, or merciless

---

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

Explanation

Inclement usually refers to severe or harsh weather that is cold and wet. When packing for a trip to the Caribbean bring tank tops and shorts, but don't forget a raincoat in case of inclement weather. This adjective can also refer to a person or action that is harsh and unmerciful. Inclement is from a Latin root formed from the prefix in- "not" plus clemens "clement." This English adjective clement can mean either mild or merciful; the more commonly used noun clemency can mean mildness or mercy.

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

Rescuers, stymied by inclement weather, so far have located the bodies of seven women and a man killed in the avalanche.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

USC should be used to the inclement weather by now.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

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

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