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inexorable

[in-ek-ser-uh-buh l]
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adjective
  1. unyielding; unalterable: inexorable truth; inexorable justice.
  2. not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties: an inexorable creditor.
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Origin of inexorable

From the Latin word inexōrābilis, dating back to 1545–55. See in-3, exorable
Related formsin·ex·o·ra·bil·i·ty, in·ex·o·ra·ble·ness, nounin·ex·o·ra·bly, adverb

Synonyms

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2. unbending; severe, relentless, unrelenting, implacable, merciless, cruel, pitiless. See inflexible.

Antonyms

2. flexible; merciful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for inexorability

Historical Examples

  • There is the fatality of dogmas, the oppression of human laws, the inexorability of nature.

    Toilers of the Sea

    Victor Hugo

  • Completely overcome by the inexorability of his fate, Falder throws himself down the stairs, breaking his neck.

  • First, there is the fatality of dogmas, then the oppression of human laws, and finally the inexorability of nature.

  • She would not bear thinking of, this thing of beauty and need and, at the same time, inexorability of endurance.

    Old Crow

    Alice Brown

  • An order from the Vatican was law; and the Bishop obeyed it with no other thought than its inerrancy and inexorability.

    Carmen Ariza

    Charles Francis Stocking

British Dictionary definitions for inexorability

inexorable

adjective
  1. not able to be moved by entreaty or persuasion
  2. relentless
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Derived Formsinexorability or inexorableness, nouninexorably, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from Latin inexōrābilis, from in- 1 + exōrābilis, from exōrāre to prevail upon, from ōrāre to pray
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inexorability

inexorable

adj.

1550s, from Middle French inexorable and directly from Latin inexorabilis "that cannot be moved by entreaty," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + exorabilis "able to be entreated," from exorare "to prevail upon," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + orare "pray" (see orator). Related: Inexorably; inexorability.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper