inviolable
Americanadjective
-
prohibiting violation; secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration.
an inviolable sanctuary;
an inviolable promise.
-
incapable of being violated; impregnable; unassailable.
inviolable secrecy.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- inviolability noun
- inviolably adverb
Etymology
Origin of inviolable
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inviolābilis; in- 3, violable
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.
“They are turning on him, and it’s a sign of the inviolable trust being gone,” Madrid said.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025
In the face of ideological challenges and pragmatic objections, both men insisted that the dignity of each individual person was sacred and inviolable, and that individual rights must prevail against states and ideologies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025
"Everyone must understand that the police officer is inviolable, the police officer represents the state and the strength of the state," Kobakhidze told a press briefing.
From BBC • Feb. 5, 2025
With that selflessness at the core of public service, he wrote: “I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal.”
From Slate • Jul. 22, 2024
He stood there looking at the destruction of the harbor and knew he had something inviolable that other men had no inkling of and at the same time he had nothing.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
