irreconcilable

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl 

-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-, 

ˌi(r)-

: impossible to reconcile

irreconcilable differences

irreconcilability

i-ˌre-kən-ˌsī-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

irreconcilableness

i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl-nəs 

-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-

noun

irreconcilably

i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-blē 

-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-, 

ˌi(r)-

adverb

irreconcilable

2 of 2

noun

: one that is irreconcilable

especially : a member of a group (such as a political party) opposing compromise or collaboration

Examples of irreconcilable in a Sentence

Adjective

theories that are irreconcilable with each other

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Osment filed for divorce on March 7, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. —Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026

The film’s central tension — that two siblings hold irreconcilable versions of the same past, neither fully correct — was built into the performances deliberately. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026

Those irreconcilable truths are but one reason why things start going so very wrong inside the Pounds household. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

But just one day after the news of their separation broke, Kidman filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their breakup. —Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing irreconcilable

• irreconcilable differences

Rhymes for irreconcilable

• reconcilable

Kids Definition

irreconcilable

adjective

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able

(ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)ek-ən-ˈsī-lə-bəl, 

(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ek-ən-ˌsī-

: impossible to reconcile, adjust, or harmonize

ended the partnership because of irreconcilable differences

irreconcilably

-blē

adverb