inexorable
Americanadjective
-
inexorable truth;
inexorable justice.
-
not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties.
an inexorable creditor.
- Synonyms:
- pitiless, cruel, merciless, implacable, unrelenting, unbending
adjective
-
not able to be moved by entreaty or persuasion
-
relentless
Synonym Usage
See inflexible.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inexorable
From the Latin word inexōrābilis, dating back to 1545–55. See in- 3, exorable
Explanation
When a person is inexorable, they're stubborn. When a thing or process is inexorable, it can't be stopped. This is a word for people and things that will not change direction. An inexorable person is hard-headed and cannot be convinced to change their mind, no matter what. You can also say that a process, like the progress of a deadly illness, is inexorable because it can't be stopped. A speeding train with no brakes is inexorable; it's not stopping till it crashes. When you see the word inexorable, think "No one's stopping that."
Vocabulary lists containing inexorable
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Then the never-married rate began an inexorable rise, quadrupling to 25% by 2020.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025
The bond market sees lower rates in the shorter term, but yields on longer-term Treasuries have risen recently—a signal that borrowing costs may not be on an inexorable ride down after all.
From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025
A limited supply does not guarantee an inexorable rise.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 19, 2025
I would love for you both to say why it is that you think that, as chilling as this moment is, there are things that can be done, this is not inevitable or inexorable?
From Slate • Oct. 15, 2025
The faucets dripped with the slow, inexorable movement of time and I was alone down there, and safe.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
