implacable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "implacable" is correct and usable in written English.
It means "unable to be placated, appeased, or satisfied, unrelenting, inflexible". For example, "The implacable dictator refused to negotiate with the opposition party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This issue has nothing to do with "equality" and everything to do with freedom of belief, conscience and expression – it being an implacable attack on these latter.

The Guardian

For fans of a plain, austere look, there is a simple Putin headshot, mouth set in an implacable determination and eyes hidden behind a pair of shades, embossed on a plain white or black t-shirt.

The Guardian

Click on the link provided and you discover the luckless reviewer receiving a lashing was, erm, Stephen Pritchard, who leads a challenging but honourably conducted double life as enraptured muso and implacable fault-finder general.

The Guardian

Jonathan Kent's production this evocation of the rackety world of American vaudeville – with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents – boasted a breathtaking performance from Imelda Staunton, who played Mama Rose not as some implacable monster but as a jaunty, defiant woman seeking surrogate stardom through the showbiz success of her two daughters.

The Guardian

Yet beneath the facade of implacable command was a moody, capricious man with a strained marriage: while he was in India, his wife Edwina had allegedly conducted an affair with the Indian politician Nehru.

The Guardian

I sat guiltily at a grand wooden dining table with my cup of tea and the implacable women of the Safety to School group and ask Barbara how it started.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They are not only implacable, the feeling that they give us is that they are impossible to satisfy," he said.

The Guardian

Michael White writes: To stay in public life for 26 years after being rejected resoundingly by the electorate and one's own party suggests either implacable determination or bloody-minded stubbornness.

The Guardian

And so it was today when Senator Harry Reid, the Majority Leader, dared to suggest that there might just be a racial tinge to the Republicans' wild-eyed outrage over just about everything President Obama says and their implacable opposition to just about everything he does or wants to do.

The New York Times

Most of all, he is dismayed by the grandstanding that seems the inevitable accompaniment to high office – a facility, you might observe, that's apparent in such implacable opponents to his outlook as Theresa May and Chris Grayling.

The Guardian

But parts of the base are implacable on the subject; immigration was a big factor in Mr Cantor's downfall, backed up by a feeling that he was too close to Wall Street.It is not the only issue on which big companies do not see eye to eye with a substantial fraction of the GOP.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "implacable", ensure the context clearly establishes what or whom is being unyielding or impossible to appease. Providing specific details will strengthen the impact of the adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "implacable" to describe situations that simply require patience or negotiation. "Implacable" suggests a fundamental and unchangeable resistance, not just a temporary obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "implacable" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating that it is unyielding, relentless, or impossible to appease. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implacable" is an adjective used to describe something or someone unyielding and impossible to appease. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and frequently appears in formal contexts, especially within News & Media. While alternatives such as "unappeasable" or "inexorable" exist, "implacable" carries a distinct emphasis on the absolute nature of the resistance. When using this term, clarity and contextual relevance are crucial to maximize its impact and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unappeasable

Focuses specifically on the inability to be appeased or pacified.

inexorable

Emphasizes the unstoppable and inevitable nature of something.

unyielding

Highlights the firmness and resistance to change or persuasion.

relentless

Stresses the continuous and persistent nature, without giving up.

adamant

Indicates a strong and unwavering determination or resolve.

inflexible

Points to a lack of adaptability or willingness to compromise.

uncompromising

Highlights a refusal to make concessions or meet halfway.

resolute

Emphasizes a firm and determined approach, often in the face of adversity.

determined

Focuses on having a firm decision and unwillingness to change it.

unshakable

Implies a firmness that cannot be disrupted or weakened.

FAQs

How can I use "implacable" in a sentence?

The word "implacable" describes someone or something that cannot be appeased or pacified. For instance, "The detective faced an implacable foe who would not yield any information."

What can I say instead of "implacable"?

You can use alternatives like "unappeasable", "inexorable", or "unyielding" depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "implacable" to describe a person's feelings?

Yes, "implacable" can be used to describe a person's feelings when those feelings are intense and unyielding. For example, "She held an implacable hatred for those who had betrayed her."

What's the difference between "implacable" and "intransigent"?

"Implacable" refers to being impossible to appease, while "intransigent" suggests an unwillingness to compromise or change one's views. An implacable enemy is impossible to satisfy, whereas an intransigent negotiator refuses to budge.