inapplicable

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ap·​pli·​ca·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈna-pli-kə-bəl How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
also ˌi-nə-ˈpli-kə-
Synonyms of inapplicablenext
: not applicable : irrelevant
The rules are inapplicable in this instance.
inapplicability
(ˌ)i-ˌna-pli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
also ˌi-nə-ˌpli-kə-
noun
inapplicably
(ˌ)i-ˈna-pli-kə-blē How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
also ˌi-nə-ˈpli-kə-
adverb

inapplicability

2 of 2

noun

in·​applicability (¦)in How to pronounce inapplicability (audio)
ən+
: the condition of being inapplicable

Synonyms of inapplicable

Examples of inapplicable in a Sentence

Adjective the judge refused to allow mention of the defendant's conviction for shoplifting, ruling that it was inapplicable to the case at hand
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
In a recent conversation with Peter Diamandis, an entrepreneur and executive chairman of the XPrize Foundation, Musk fleshed out his moonshot visions for the future, which have previously included work being completely optional and retirement becoming inapplicable. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 June 2026 Your business might not have branches, but that doesn’t mean that this strategy is inapplicable. Ming Zhu, Forbes.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Here are the kicking motion rules, which the NHL deemed inapplicable given their determination that Hellebuyck propelled the puck into his own net. Murat Ates, New York Times, 12 May 2025 To qualify, a company must pay union wages or, if union wages are inapplicable, at least the city's minimum wage, which is currently $20.80 per hour, Meyers said. Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for inapplicable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inapplicable was in 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inapplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inapplicable. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

inapplicable

adjective
in·​ap·​pli·​ca·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈap-li-kə-bəl How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
also ˌin-ə-ˈplik-ə-
: not applicable : irrelevant
inapplicability
(ˌ)in-ˌap-li-kə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
also ˌin-ə-ˌplik-ə-
noun

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