inevitably

American  

[in-ev-i-tuh-blee] / ɪnˈɛv ɪ tə bli /

adverb

1. in a way that cannot be avoided or escaped; as will certainly or necessarily happen.

   All we parents can do is our best, and when we inevitably screw up, we know that tomorrow's another day.

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-inevitably adverb

Etymology

Origin of inevitably

inevitab(le) ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

If something is totally unavoidable, it is inevitably going to happen. Inevitably, the sun will come up tomorrow. The adverb inevitably comes from the negative of the French word for "avoid" or "shun." There are things you can put off for a while, but inevitably you're going to have to deal with them at some point, like telling your family that you crashed the car. No matter how free-spirited you imagine yourself, unless you are independently wealthy, you will inevitably have to settle down and get some sort of job, like writing and editing word definitions.

Example Sentences

Given that women represent some 43% of off-course participation, this collaboration should inevitably lead to more women moving from the bay to the fairway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"Sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertilizer prices, together with transport bottlenecks, will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity," said a joint statement on the meeting.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Of course, you don’t want to go into debt for this vacation, especially when you are facing a journey in which your husband’s health will inevitably decline.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Reports say this careful selection of judges, representing different genders, religions, castes and regions, will help "lend wider legitimacy to a verdict that will inevitably traverse contested terrain".

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

A few ran away but were inevitably returned.

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech

Related Words

• necessarily
• surely