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inexorable

[in-ek-ser-uh-buhl]
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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

Related Words

implacableunrelentinginescapablerelentlessmercilessadamantboundcompulsorydoggedhardharshimmobileimmovableineluctableinflexibleironcladnecessaryobdurateobstinateremorseless

Examples from the Web for inexorable

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • The inexorable voice went on in its monotone, as if he had not spoken.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • She felt as if she had been caught in an inexorable hand that had closed about her.

    K

    Mary Roberts Rinehart

  • Nor was there any appeal from the inexorable logic of his remarks.

    Ridgeway

    Scian Dubh

  • The ticking of the clock emphasized the inexorable silence of the house.

    Tiverton Tales

    Alice Brown

  • None but she could open to him, and he knew that, like God himself, Kirsty was inexorable.

    Heather and Snow

    George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for inexorable

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 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