irreconcilable

[ ih-rek-uhn-sahy-luh-buhl, ih-rek-uhn-sahy- ]

adjective

1. incapable of being brought into harmony or adjustment; incompatible:

   irreconcilable differences.

2. incapable of being made to acquiesce or compromise; implacably opposed:

   irreconcilable enemies.

noun

1. a person or thing that is irreconcilable.
2. a person who is opposed to agreement or compromise.

irreconcilable

/ ɪˌrɛkənˈsaɪ-; ɪˈrɛkənˌsaɪləbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be reconciled; uncompromisingly conflicting; incompatible

noun

1. a person or thing that is implacably hostile or uncompromisingly opposed
2. usually plural one of various principles, ideas, etc, that are incapable of being brought into agreement

Derived Forms

• irˌreconˌcilaˈbility, noun
• irˈreconˌcilably, adverb

Other Words From

• ir·recon·cila·bili·ty ir·recon·cila·ble·ness noun
• ir·recon·cila·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irreconcilable¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; ir- ² + reconcilable

Example Sentences

Its “irreconcilable dichotomy” of wanting to connect people to advance society but also enrich its bottom line.

From MIT Technology Review

Therein lies what the authors say is Facebook’s ugly truth, its “possibly irreconcilable” dual goals of advancing society by connecting the world while also profiting off the people it is connecting.

From Washington Post

The last bill, passed Thursday afternoon, would enable federal regulators to sue to break up large tech companies when their role as operator of a platform presents an “irreconcilable conflict of interest” in their other lines of business.

From Washington Post

Because we have returned to a normal relationship with Moscow — meaning we have harsh, and on some issues, irreconcilable differences but can imagine cooperating on some areas where we have overlapping vital interests.

From Ozy

This difference in views between Manchin and much of the rest of the party may be irreconcilable.

From FiveThirtyEight

Many argue that Beijing and Moscow have differing interests, and indeed, some of them are irreconcilable.

From The Daily Beast

Politics in my old Kentucky home has, for centuries, been awash in irreconcilable contradictions.

From The Daily Beast

Usher filed for divorce just three months later, citing irreconcilable differences.

From The Daily Beast

Taylor filed for divorce on July 15, citing irreconcilable differences.

From The Daily Beast

Taylor Armstrong, 40, had filed for divorce in July, citing irreconcilable differences.

From The Daily Beast

Far from us be all spirit of persecution which would only serve to render them irreconcilable.

From Project Gutenberg

Every religion is but a system imagined for the purpose of reconciling irreconcilable ideas.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of these excellences are indeed irreconcilable and exclude each other; most of them can only be combined by a compromise.

From Project Gutenberg

You remember how in his letters to Fontana he abuses Camille Pleyel in a manner irreconcilable with genuine love and esteem.

From Project Gutenberg

The sentiments which your father has expressed towards me, are of a nature irreconcilable with hostile purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• implacable
• incompatible
• incongruous
• inconsistent
• inexorable
• uncompromising