inextricable

adjective

in·​ex·​tri·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈstri-kə-bəl How to pronounce inextricable (audio) (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)stri- How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
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
b
: not capable of being solved
inextricability
ˌi-nik-ˌstri-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)stri-
noun
inextricably
ˌi-nik-ˈstri-kə-blē How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
(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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like late singer Julee Cruise, Del Rio’s voice is inextricable from the uncanny world of Lynch’s films. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025 In Texas, which serves about 6 million public school students, sponsors of the Ten Commandments bill say Christianity is inextricable from the country’s founding. Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025 That practice, though, is inextricable from the region’s colonial history. Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 The influencer/creator economy is hardly new, but its accelerating scale demonstrates its inextricable integration into the broad ad marketplace. Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inextricable

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inextricable was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inextricable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inextricable. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

inextricable

adjective
in·​ex·​tri·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈstrik-ə-bəl How to pronounce inextricable (audio) (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)strik- How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
: impossible to untangle or to get free from
an inextricable knot
inextricably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on inextricable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!