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

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

In an environment where American democracy was seen as inextricable from American capitalism, the entrepreneur could be a heroic figure. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Memories of life before the internet are inextricable from memories of youth, so nostalgia comes easily. —Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025

The inextricable link between Musk, the world's richest person, and Tesla's brand illustrates both the opportunities and risks of tying a company's fortunes to the personality of a single executive. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025

But ideas and narrative are inextricable from one another, and Dream Count’s intellectual thinness shortchanges the stories Adichie wants to tell. —Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025

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