English

inexorability

gb/ɪnˈɛksɚəbˈɪlɪti/ us/ɪnˈɛksɚəbˈɪlɪti/
C2 English
Senses
0 senses
Noun formal C2 property
1

unyielding firmness; won’t change

a very firm attitude that will not change

Usage pattern: [someone]'s inexorability (in/over [something])
Common mistake:
Often confused with "inaccuracy" or "inevitability"; inexorability is about being impossible to persuade or soften.
Synonyms
inflexibility (More common; emphasizes not bending or adapting.) | implacability (Emphasizes being impossible to calm or satisfy, especially about anger or punishment.) | uncompromisingness (Focuses on refusing to make concessions.)
Antonyms
flexibility (Willingness to adapt or change.) | leniency (Willingness to be less strict or severe.) | mercy (Willingness to forgive or soften punishment.)
Collocations
political inexorability |judicial inexorability |bureaucratic inexorability |the inexorability of the law |the inexorability of the judge |the inexorability of the decision |cold inexorability |grim inexorability |ruthless inexorability |sheer inexorability
Themes
emotions |communication |conflict
Examples
  • The committee’s inexorability on deadlines left no room for negotiation.
  • He argued for an exception, but met the inexorability of policy and procedure.
  • Her inexorability in the dispute surprised colleagues who expected a compromise.
Learner examples
  • The manager’s inexorability meant we could not change the plan.
  • I asked for more time, but there was only inexorability.
Noun formal C2 property
2

relentless inevitability of a process

the fact that something cannot be stopped or avoided

Usage pattern: the inexorability of [time/change/decline/growth]
Common mistake:
Do not use for simple certainty (“It’s sure”); inexorability suggests an unstoppable force or trend.
Synonyms
inevitability (More neutral; lacks the sense of relentless, unstoppable force.) | inexorability (Self-synonym; used when emphasizing unstoppable movement.) | unstoppability (Less formal; emphasizes that it cannot be stopped.)
Antonyms
avoidability (The possibility of preventing an outcome.) | reversibility (The possibility of turning something back.) | uncertainty (Lack of a fixed or inevitable outcome.)
Collocations
the inexorability of time |the inexorability of change |the inexorability of progress |the inexorability of decline |the inexorability of aging |the inexorability of fate |the inexorability of death |the inexorability of history |the inexorability of economic forces |the inexorability of the trend
Themes
time |life |nature |history
Examples
  • As the evidence mounted, the inexorability of the verdict became clear.
  • The novel dwells on the inexorability of time and the way it reshapes relationships.
  • They tried to resist, but the inexorability of demographic change altered the city anyway.
Learner examples
  • We cannot stop the inexorability of time.
  • The inexorability of change is hard for some people.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inexorability
IPA
GB/ɪnˈɛksɚəbˈɪlɪti/
US/ɪnˈɛksɚəbˈɪlɪti/
Syllables & stress
in - ex - or - ab - il - ity (6 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ex)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: inexorability
  • Plural: inexorabilities
Word family
Forms
inexorabilities noun
Core family
inexorable adjective C2 inexorably adverb C1
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

Welcome back!

Please sign in to continue

Forgot password?
Don't have an account? Sign up