inexorable
gb/ˌɪnˈɛksɚəbəl/ us/ˌɪnˈɛksɚəbəl/
C2
English
~ 9900
megállíthatatlan, feltartóztathatatlan, hajthatatlan, kérlelhetetlen
C2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is inexorable
Analysts warn of an inexorable rise in sea levels over the coming century.
Elemzők a tengerszint megállíthatatlan emelkedésére figyelmeztetnek az elkövetkező évszázadban.
The film explores humanity’s struggle against the inexorable march of technology.
A film az emberiség küzdelmét mutatja be a technológia megállíthatatlan előretörésével szemben.
Despite several reforms, the country’s inexorable decline into chaos continued.
There seemed to be an inexorable shift of power toward the larger corporations.
The novel captures the inexorable progress of time in a small rural town.
Learner examples
There is an inexorable rise in housing prices in this city.
Ebben a városban megállíthatatlanul emelkednek a lakásárak.
The company could not stop its inexorable fall into debt.
A cég nem tudta megállítani a feltartóztathatatlan eladósodását.
We all feel the inexorable march of time as we get older.
Climate change is an inexorable process if we do nothing.
The team’s inexorable progress took them to the top of the league.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "inexorable" with "inexcusable" or "unreasonable". "Inexorable" does not mean morally bad or not fair; it means something cannot be stopped or changed. It is also often misspelled as *unexorable* or *inexorible*.
Meaning
impossible to stop or prevent
Collocations
inexorable rise
|inexorable march
|inexorable advance
|inexorable decline
|inexorable progress
|seemingly inexorable
Synonyms
relentless (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and can sound a bit less formal.)
|
unstoppable (More informal and direct; lacks the formal, often serious tone of "inexorable".)
|
inevitable (Focuses more on something being certain to happen, not necessarily on it continuing without pause.)
Antonyms
stoppable (Direct opposite, emphasizing that something can be stopped.)
|
reversible (Opposite in contexts where "inexorable" describes a process that cannot be undone.)
|
avoidable (Opposite when "inexorable" suggests an outcome that cannot be avoided.)
Themes
time
|change
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Continuing and impossible to stop or prevent.
Not able to be stopped, changed, or prevented, especially when continuing steadily over time.
C2
FORMAL
2
hajthatatlan
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is inexorable in [their decision]
Despite their pleas for mercy, the judge remained inexorable and imposed the maximum sentence.
Irgalomért könyörögtek, de a bíró hajthatatlan maradt, és a maximális büntetést szabta ki.
She was inexorable in her refusal to compromise on the safety standards.
Hajthatatlan volt abban, hogy a biztonsági előírásokból nem enged.
The creditors were inexorable, demanding full repayment within thirty days.
His parents were usually kind, but on this point they were inexorable.
Confronted with overwhelming evidence, he was inexorable and would not admit he was wrong.
Learner examples
The manager was inexorable and said no to every request.
A vezető hajthatatlan volt, és minden kérésre nemet mondott.
He is inexorable in his rules for his children.
Hajthatatlan, ha a gyerekei számára felállított szabályokról van szó.
The teacher was kind but inexorable about the exam date.
They asked many times, but she was inexorable and did not change her mind.
The coach was inexorable and made the team practice in the rain.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense with everyday, mild firmness. In normal conversation, words like "strict" or "firm" are more natural; "inexorable" sounds very strong and formal. Do not use it for small, casual decisions.
Meaning
impossible to persuade or soften
Collocations
an inexorable judge
|an inexorable opponent
|inexorable in his refusal
|inexorable in her demands
|inexorable stance
|inexorable creditor
Synonyms
unbending (Stresses refusal to change opinions or decisions.)
|
implacable (Very close in meaning, with a strong sense of being impossible to appease or calm.)
|
merciless (Adds the idea of being cruel or lacking pity, not just firm.)
Antonyms
flexible (Opposite in the sense of being willing to change or adapt.)
|
lenient (Opposite when the focus is on being soft or forgiving instead of strict.)
|
yielding (Opposite in the sense of giving way or changing under pressure.)
Themes
people
|emotions
|conflict
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Refusing to change your mind or feelings, even when people ask strongly.
Unwilling to change one’s mind, attitude, or decision, no matter how much one is asked or how strong the emotional appeal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inexorable
IPA
GB/ˌɪnˈɛksɚəbəl/
US/ˌɪnˈɛksɚəbəl/
Syllables & stress
in - ex - or - able (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ex)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inexorable
Word family
Core family
inexorably
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
inexorability
noun C2
Expressions
the inexorable march of time
1/ðə ˌɪnˈɛksɚəbəl mˈɑɹt͡ʃ əv tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
formal
the unstoppable passing of time
The steady passing of time that no one can stop.
Examples
- The wrinkles on his face showed the inexorable march of time.
- Museums try to save objects from decay, but they cannot escape the inexorable march of time.
the inexorable rise of [something]
1/ðə ˌɪnˈɛksɚəbəl ɹˈaɪz əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
a steady, unstoppable increase
A slow, steady increase in something that seems impossible to stop.
Examples
- Experts are worried about the inexorable rise of global temperatures.
- The film looks at the inexorable rise of social media in everyday life.