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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

Derived 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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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.

Appeared in the March 18, 2026, print edition as 'Regime Change Is Inexorable'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

I grew up idolizing Dan—his writing made me want to get into golf journalism—and my bible was his book Dogged Victims of Inexorable Fate.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 6, 2020

Inexorable foreboding fills “Threshold of Faith,” by the electronic composer Ben Frost, a master of glacial, amorphous tension.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2017

Inexorable -- only if the media allows itself to be fooled twice.

From Salon • Aug. 24, 2010

In this view, and in this view alone, we comprehend the riddles of Divine Injustice—of Inexorable Fate.

From Eureka: A Prose Poem by Poe, Edgar A.

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