inexorable

USAGE SUMMARY

'inexorable' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unyielding and relentless, such as a natural disaster or an unstoppable force. For example, "The inexorable tide of the hurricane could not be stopped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet the change they catalysed looks, in retrospect, inexorable.

The Guardian - Opinion

One union leader told me: 'I did not cause the failure of Seattle, but I contributed to it.' 'Seattle' is now the code word for protest against the seemingly inexorable march of 'globalisation' and extreme free market economics.

The Guardian - Business

And, in fact this process towards a more equal society seemed inexorable, an almost natural consequence of an advanced democracy.

The Guardian - Business

Jewish organisations that record antisemitic incidents say the trend is inexorable: France's Society for the Protection of the Jewish Community says annual totals of antisemitic acts in the 2000s are seven times higher than in the 1990s.

The Guardian

Although Labour and Conservative candidates in Perthshire have distanced themselves from the tactical voting campaign, privately many unionists are hopeful that drives such as this will offset what recent polling suggests is the inexorable.

The Guardian

But in the years that followed, the enemies changed, intelligence capabilities developed, and the newly renamed GCHQ and newly formed NSA, created in October 1952, began an inexorable rise, intertwining interests and capabilities that insiders say would now be almost impossible to untangle.

The Guardian

Calmly Puskas trotted on to beat Costa Pereira, the goalkeeper, with that inexorable left foot.

The Guardian - Sport

Actor Rhys Ifans continues the inexorable rise to stardom based on his revolting underpants in Notting Hill, which have won him a best supporting actor nomination.

The Guardian

He also commented on Europe's inexorable shrinking in terms of relative size and power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of GNM, and Andrew Miller, chief executive of parent company Guardian Media Group (GMG), today outlined to staff a major transformation programme in response to "inexorable trends" in media consumption.

The Guardian

Ah, yes, the inexorable progress to equality and respect marked by the example and struggles of, among many other redoubtable figures, Austen, Eliot, Fry, Curie, Pankhurst, Davison, Stopes, Greer, Malala, and, now, Cyrus.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inexorable" to describe processes or forces that cannot be stopped or altered. It is especially effective in conveying a sense of doom or inevitability.

Common error

Avoid using "inexorable" to describe situations that are merely difficult or challenging. "Inexorable" implies an absolute certainty and inability to change, so it's inappropriate for events that could be influenced or prevented.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "inexorable" functions to describe a noun, indicating that it is impossible to stop or prevent. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing trends, forces, and declines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "inexorable" is a powerful adjective used to describe something that is impossible to stop or prevent. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. This word carries a sense of inevitability and is often used to describe trends or forces that are beyond control. While it's grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to reserve "inexorable" for situations where there truly is no possibility of change or intervention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inevitable

Similar to unavoidable, but emphasizes that something is sure to happen.

unstoppable

This focuses on the inability to be halted.

unavoidable

This highlights the certainty of occurrence.

relentless

This suggests persistence and a lack of mercy.

unrelenting

Similar to relentless, but suggests a constant and persistent force.

unyielding

This emphasizes a resistance to pressure or change.

certain to happen

This is a more descriptive alternative that highlights the assuredness of an event.

implacable

This stresses the inability to be appeased or pacified.

irreversible

This emphasizes the impossibility of being undone or reversed.

irresistible

This focuses on the power and allure that something possesses.

FAQs

How to use "inexorable" in a sentence?

Use "inexorable" to describe something that is impossible to stop or prevent. For example, "The "inexorable march of time" continues regardless of our efforts to slow it down."

What can I say instead of "inexorable"?

You can use alternatives like "relentless", "unstoppable", or "inevitable" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "inexorable decline" or "reversible decline"?

"Inexorable decline" suggests a decline that cannot be stopped or reversed, while "reversible decline" implies that the decline can be halted or corrected. The choice depends on whether the situation can be changed.

What's the difference between "inexorable" and "unavoidable"?

"Inexorable" implies something that cannot be stopped or prevented due to its inherent nature or force, whereas "unavoidable" simply means something that cannot be avoided, regardless of the reason. The first one is more about the force that leads to an event while the second one is about the impossibility of avoiding it.