irreconcilable

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl How to pronounce irreconcilable (audio)
-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-,
ˌi(r)-
: impossible to reconcile
irreconcilable differences
irreconcilability noun
irreconcilableness noun
irreconcilably
i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-blē How to pronounce irreconcilable (audio)
-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-
ˌi(r)
adverb

irreconcilable

2 of 2

noun

: one that is irreconcilable
especially : a member of a group (such as a political party) opposing compromise or collaboration

Examples of irreconcilable in a Sentence

Adjective theories that are irreconcilable with each other
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
American forces began making a greater effort to distinguish between irreconcilable insurgents and the broader population and pledged to make life better and more secure for civilians. David Petraeus, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2024 As a concept, it had been made obsolete by our siloed smartphone culture diets, by our conflicted national mood, by our mounting despair over climate change, by our irreconcilable polarization over Drake. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 12 June 2024 But the construction of the reveal itself — taking what might’ve been a killer premise and concealing it for a vague, two-thirds of a season-long guessing game of diminishing returns — feels at irreconcilable odds with the show’s cinema-loving soul. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 3 May 2024 Nor are there immediate prospects for a ceasefire and an eventual peace plan, with both sides sticking to irreconcilable positions. Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2022 See all Example Sentences for irreconcilable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irreconcilable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irreconcilable was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near irreconcilable

Cite this Entry

“Irreconcilable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreconcilable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

irreconcilable

adjective
ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able
(ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)ek-ən-ˈsī-lə-bəl,
(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ek-ən-ˌsī-
: impossible to reconcile, adjust, or harmonize
ended the partnership because of irreconcilable differences
irreconcilably
-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irreconcilable

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