inviolable

[ in-vahy-uh-luh-buhl ]

adjective

1. prohibiting violation; secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration:

   an inviolable sanctuary;

   an inviolable promise.

2. incapable of being violated; impregnable; unassailable:

   inviolable secrecy.

inviolable

/ ɪnˈvaɪələbəl /

adjective

1. that must not or cannot be transgressed, dishonoured, or broken; to be kept sacred

   an inviolable oath

Derived Forms

• inˌviolaˈbility, noun
• inˈviolably, adverb

Other Words From

• in·vi·o·la·bil·i·ty [in-vahy-, uh, -l, uh, -, bil, -i-tee] Rare, in·vi·o·la·ble·ness noun
• in·vi·o·la·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inviolable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inviolābilis; in- ³, violable

Example Sentences

If this degree of chaotic improvisation exists within Sochi, just how inviolable is that Ring of Steel around it?

From The Daily Beast

In the past year, several tech companies that once seem inviolable have fractured badly—Research in Motion and Nokia most notably.

From The Daily Beast

Article 54 of the Kuwaiti constitution stipulates that the emir is “immune and inviolable.”

From The Daily Beast

He told me that in business dealings a handshake was inviolable.

From The Daily Beast

Take care of what you are about to do, Seor Captain: I belong to the church, and this gown renders me inviolable.

From Project Gutenberg

Again the brothers glanced at each other with a look which said: "The hotel de Soissons is inviolable."

From Project Gutenberg

His claim to it could not be maintained by law, but was confirmed by public opinion and by inviolable custom.

From Project Gutenberg

If there be no law, sacred and inviolable, not created by man, what standard can we find to judge whether an act be just or not?

From Project Gutenberg

The persons of the tribunes were declared inviolable, and any one who attacked them was thought to be accursed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sacrosanct