implacable

adjective

im·​pla·​ca·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpla-kə-bəl How to pronounce implacable (audio) -ˈplā- How to pronounce implacable (audio)
: not placable : not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated
an implacable enemy
implacability noun
implacably adverb

Did you know?

Implacable is rooted in Latin placare, meaning "to soothe," but its im- prefix is a variant of the negating prefix in- (as in inactive) and it signals that there’s nothing warm and fuzzy here. Someone or something described as implacable cannot be soothed, which usually means trouble: implacable is most often attached to words like foe, enemy, hatred and hostility. The opposite of implacable is, of course, placable; it means "easily soothed," but sadly isn’t called upon very often. Another placare word is likely more familiar. Placate means "to soothe or appease"; it’s frequently applied when an angry person is made to feel less so.

Examples of implacable in a Sentence

He has an implacable hatred for his political opponents. an implacable judge who knew in his bones that the cover-up extended to the highest levels of government
Recent Examples on the Web An implacable observation, as France seemed far from the level of the best nation in the world currently. Assile Toufaily, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Opinion polls show that the Kremlin has been steadily winning its argument that the West is an implacable enemy whose malign influence needs to be resisted by means of strong laws, tougher social control, and vigorous propaganda. Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2024 Solzhenitsyn became one of Kissinger’s most implacable opponents. Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The delay likely owed to the pharmaceutical industry’s implacable opposition to anything that would curb its profits, rather than to any foot-dragging by President Joe Biden, whose executive order two-and-a-half years ago instructed the agency to cooperate with Florida and like-minded states. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2024 The monster acts with the implacable, impregnable logic of a natural disaster. Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024 Yet Russia’s autocratic regime does not need to be the United States’ implacable foe. Thomas Graham, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 Before disingenuous displays of diversity became the rage, Rousteing was reproducing all the implacable shadings of daily life. Killian Wright-Jackson, Essence, 1 Dec. 2023 Yet history is replete with examples of apparently implacable enemies tiring, eventually, of war and coming to the table—including in the Arab-Israeli context. Alex Rowell, WSJ, 22 Nov. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin implacabilis, from in- + placabilis placable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of implacable was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near implacable

Cite this Entry

“Implacable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implacable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

implacable

adjective
im·​pla·​ca·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈplak-ə-bəl How to pronounce implacable (audio) -ˈplā-kə- How to pronounce implacable (audio)
: not possible to please, satisfy, or change
an implacable enemy
implacability noun
implacably
-ˈplak-ə-blē How to pronounce implacable (audio)
-ˈplā-kə-
adverb

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