inextricable

adjective

in·​ex·​tri·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈstri-kə-bəl  (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)stri- 

1

: forming a maze or tangle from which it is impossible to get free

2

a

: incapable of being disentangled or untied

an inextricable knot

an inextricable link between poverty and poor health

b

: not capable of being solved

inextricability

ˌi-nik-ˌstri-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)stri-

noun

inextricably

ˌi-nik-ˈstri-kə-blē 

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)stri-

adverb

Examples of inextricable in a Sentence

He argues that there is an inextricable link between poverty and poor health.

Recent Examples on the Web

Amid the inextricable trauma of losing her 18-year-old child, the mother had feared that traditional funeral customs might be handled differently because of the manner in which her daughter died. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

The feeling in South Korea is that this disappointment was inextricable from the South Africa defeat. — Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 29 June 2026

Today’s best design is as Instagrammable as ever, but simultaneously demands a less fleeting consideration, often suggesting a more permanent, inextricable link with the environment. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 17 June 2026

The two have been practically inextricable over the past decade as Jelly Roll (real name Jason DeFord) became one of the biggest country stars on the planet, and Bunnie (Alyssa DeFord) became a popular podcaster. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin inextricabilis, from in- + extricabilis extricable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inextricable

adjective

in·​ex·​tri·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈstrik-ə-bəl  (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)strik- 

: impossible to untangle or to get free from

an inextricable knot

inextricably

-blē 

adverb