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Synonyms

inexorable

American  
[in-ek-ser-uh-buhl] / ɪnˈɛk sər ə bəl /

adjective

  1. unyielding; unalterable.

    inexorable truth;

    inexorable justice.

  2. not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties.

    an inexorable creditor.

    Synonyms:
    pitiless, cruel, merciless, implacable, unrelenting, unbending
    Antonyms:
    flexible, merciful

inexorable British  
/ ɪnˈɛksərəbəl /

adjective

  1. not able to be moved by entreaty or persuasion

  2. relentless

"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

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."

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Vocabulary lists containing inexorable

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.

See Examples For:

The new month sees U.S. stocks at record highs as an inexorable rally rumbles on.

From MarketWatch Jun. 1, 2026

Yet he assures us that he and his colleagues in Congress can forestall the inexorable march of technology to protect us from this fate.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 6, 2026

That’s how you get branded a dinosaur, a fuddy-dud, an inhibitor of the inexorable march toward efficiency and greatness.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 26, 2026

Innovation is inexorable, and much of it is essential to enhance banking-system inclusion, efficiency, and pricing.

From Barron's Dec. 19, 2025

But Galileo described nature as inexorable and immutable, and it is very hard to understand how there can be exceptions of any sort to Descartes’ laws.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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