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 The big picture: Huang sees the dawn of AI as a new industrial revolution, with inextricable links between energy use and human prosperity. Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024 But Gen Alpha’s love of viral brands and collectible trinkets is inextricable from their digital-native status. Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024 His characters are so recognizably, painfully millennial because their selfhood is so obviously mediated by the Internet; their instincts are inextricable from their upbringing in an online ecosystem that seizes every individual’s desires and vulnerabilities as fodder for profit and exploitation. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024 Almost immediately, the relationship became inextricable from their collaborative efforts as scholars and activists willing to forgo economic stability—and, sometimes, physical safety—in service of their political projects. Hazlitt, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inextricable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inextricable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near inextricable

Cite this Entry

“Inextricable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inextricable. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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