implacable

[ im-plak-uh-buhl, -pley-kuh- ]

adjective

1. not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable:

   an implacable enemy.

   Synonyms: unappeasable, merciless, unbending

implacable

/ ɪmˈplækəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being placated or pacified; unappeasable
2. inflexible; intractable

Derived Forms

• imˈplacably, adverb
• imˌplacaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• im·placa·bili·ty im·placa·ble·ness noun
• im·placa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of implacable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word implācābilis. See im- ², placable

Synonym Study

See inflexible.

Example Sentences

Sen, who also handled both the black-and-white cinematography and the editing, has a terrific eye for shot composition and sets a deliberate pace that feels implacable rather than merely slow.

From New York Times

Some, like a sashaying cover of Jeanette’s “Porque Te Vas,” are impeccably stylish, others like “The Crying Game” are implacably melancholy.

From Los Angeles Times

They campaigned for a decade against an implacable but ill-prepared bloc of New York’s political and corporate establishment.

From New York Times

One key factor is his implacable opposition to the many wars of aggression that the U.S. government has launched or supported.

From Salon

But Saudi Arabia has stood out as the most implacable opponent of any agreement on fossil fuels.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• inexorable
• intractable
• relentless
• ruthless
• uncompromising
• unforgiving
• unrelenting
• unyielding