inexorable

adjective

in·​ex·​o·​ra·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈnek-sə-rə-bəl How to pronounce inexorable (audio)
-ˈneks-rə-,
-ˈneg-zə-rə- How to pronounce inexorable (audio)
: not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped : relentless
inexorable progress
inexorability
(ˌ)i-ˌnek-sə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inexorable (audio)
-ˌneks-rə-
-ˌneg-zə-
noun
inexorableness
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-sə-rə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce inexorable (audio)
-ˈneks-rə-
-ˈneg-zə-
noun
inexorably
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-sə-rə-blē How to pronounce inexorable (audio)
-ˈneks-rə-
-ˈneg-zə-rə-
adverb

Did you know?

The Latin antecedent of inexorable is inexorabilis, which is itself a combination of the prefix in-, meaning "not," plus exorabilis, meaning "pliant" or "capable of being moved by entreaty." It's a fitting etymology for inexorable. You can beseech and implore until you're blue in the face, but that won't have any effect on something that's inexorable. Inexorable has been a part of the English language since the 1500s. Originally, it was often applied to people or sometimes to personified things, as in "deaf and inexorable laws." These days, it is usually applied to things, as in "inexorable monotony" or "an inexorable trend." In such cases, it essentially means "unyielding" or "inflexible."

Examples of inexorable in a Sentence

the inexorable rise of a political movement
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Carol Geist Viard, who published the article, The Pragmatist Method, in the European Journal of Pragmatism and American Philosophy (2015), states that civil interactions are inexorable elements of democratic citizenship. Blake D. Morant, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The mobility of capital insured an inexorable race to the bottom for labor and the environment; vulnerable nations have been left to absorb the costly externalities. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 Maza incorporates a recurring visual motif – blood or dark sap that oozes down tree trunks, over thorny cacti and along dusty terrain, a metaphor for the spilling of blood and the inexorable seeping of corruption. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024 The loss of empire was accepted as part of the inexorable logic of decolonization, but with an empire had come a set of strategic interests that required active engagement across the globe, and now those were gone. Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2020 See all Example Sentences for inexorable 

Word History

Etymology

Latin inexorabilis, from in- + exorabilis pliant, from exorare to prevail upon, from ex- + orare to speak — more at oration

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inexorable was in 1542

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near inexorable

Cite this Entry

“Inexorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexorable. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inexorable

adjective
in·​ex·​o·​ra·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈeks-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce inexorable (audio)
inexorableness noun
inexorably adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!