Inexorable

[LukeJavan8]

Meaning


: not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped : relentless

Example Sentence


These ancient ruins have slowly succumbed to the inexorable ravages of time...... 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." "Exorabilis" in turn derives ultimately from the Latin verb "orare," meaning "to speak or plead." 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 persons, or sometimes to personified things ("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."

[Slava]

Very quickly taken up by the Good Doctor, here.

An earlier suggestion of this word is here. It even has commentary.

[LukeJavan8]

Yes, I see the word there was my suggestion which
the doc acknowledges.

[MTC]

"Inexorable" is apt given The Inexorable March of History in Egypt.

[MTC]

By the by, "inexorable" is not an orphan negative. "Exorable" means "able to be persuaded or moved by pleading."

Feel free to trot it out at your next cocktail party.

[LukeJavan8]

I've posted it in my little black book of useless
facts to discuss at cocktail parties. Now if could
only get an invite.....

[MTC]

Post it right next to "inexorable."

[LukeJavan8]

That might work: there are days when I'm pretty hard up
for party invites.