inviolable

American  

[in-vahy-uh-luh-buhl] / ɪnˈvaɪ ə lə bəl /

adjective

1. prohibiting violation; secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration.

   an inviolable sanctuary;

   an inviolable promise.

2. incapable of being violated; impregnable; unassailable.

   inviolable secrecy.

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inviolable British  

/ ɪnˈvaɪələbəl /

adjective

1. that must not or cannot be transgressed, dishonoured, or broken; to be kept sacred

   an inviolable oath

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Other Word Forms

• inviolability noun
• inviolably adverb

Etymology

Origin of inviolable

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inviolābilis; see in- ³, violable

Explanation

Wedding vows and vault combinations that can’t be broken are considered inviolable. (Of course, divorce lawyers and bank robbers consider this a challenge.) The word can refer to a physical structure (a fortress, for instance) or something more conceptual (human rights or morals, perhaps). Inviolable has changed little from its Latin origin of inviolabilis, which combines the prefix in- (meaning "not") with the verb violare ("to violate"). Inviolable turns up in religious settings too, usually in reference to texts or rites. In that context, it means "sacred." No surprise: the antonym of inviolable is violable ("accessible or penetrable").

Example Sentences

“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

Later Spanish theologians, such as Francisco de Vitoria and Bartolomé de las Casas, used innate reason to defend the inviolable humanity of Native Americans.

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

The fact is that despite their dreams, their lives are also not inviolable.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Related Words

• sacrosanct