ineluctable

[ in-i-luhk-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being evaded; inescapable:

   an ineluctable destiny.

   Synonyms: unpreventable, fated, sure, certain, inexorable, unstoppable, irrevocable, unavoidable, inevitable

ineluctable

/ ˌɪnɪˈlʌktəbəl /

adjective

1. (esp of fate) incapable of being avoided; inescapable

Derived Forms

• ˌineˌluctaˈbility, noun
• ˌineˈluctably, adverb

Other Words From

• in·e·luc·ta·bil·i·ty noun
• in·e·luc·ta·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineluctable¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inēluctābilis, equivalent to in- negative and privative prefix + ēluctā(rī) “to force a way out or over, surmount” (from ē- verbal prefix + luctārī “to wrestle”) + -bilis adjective suffix; e- ¹, in- ³, -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineluctable¹

C17: from Latin inēluctābilis, from in- ¹+ ēluctārī to escape, from luctārī to struggle

Example Sentences

It’s meant to provide an ineluctable link between the modern event and the ancient Greek original on which it was initially modelled.

From Seattle Times

Associated economic theories about the ineluctable rise of worldwide free market capitalism took on a similar sheen of invincibility and inevitability.

From New York Times

She drains the terrible scene of histrionics and elevates it into something concerning but calm, quiet, almost ineluctable.

From Washington Post

For some, the ineluctable transformation from margin to mainstream, outsider to insider, has made drag aesthetics a fearsome threat to an established way of life.

From Los Angeles Times

"A future whitewash in a special counsel report is bound to fail in light of the overwhelming, undeniable and ineluctable amount of evidence of Russian government efforts to help Trump and harm Clinton."

From Salon