inherent

in·her·ent | \ in-ˈher-ənt

also -ˈhir-

Definition of inherent

: involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature or habit : intrinsic risks inherent in the venture

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Examples of inherent in a Sentence

It is one more proof that our world has lost the kind of exquisite sensibility displayed by John Milton when he came up with his definition of poetry. He first wrote "simple, sensual, and passionate," but he was bothered by the grossness inherent in "sensual," and so he invented the word "sensuous." — Florence King, National Review, 24 Sept. 2007 There were those who trusted the innate goodness of humanity, and those who believed in its inherent crookedness. — Terry Eagleton, Harper's, March 2005 The problem … is inherent and perennial in any democracy, but it has been more severe in ours during the past quarter-century because of the near universal denigration of government, politics and politicians. — Michael Kinsley, Time, 29 Oct. 2001 He has an inherent sense of fair play. an inherent concept of justice

Recent Examples on the Web Even now, when women’s stories are told, it’s often because of their positions as wives or mothers of the famous (as the enduring popularity of first-lady biographies demonstrates) rather than for the inherent value of their own lives. — Ruth Franklin, Harper's magazine, "Salka the Salonnière," 6 Jan. 2020 Throughout, Glassley builds a case for the necessity of wild places, both as respite from the noise and clutter of modern life and for their inherent values. — Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, "Scientific method meets 'A Wilder Time,’ in tales drawn from Greenland’s ice sheet," 30 Nov. 2019 This freedom is an inherent American value and the NBA has been very progressive in allowing players and other constituents a platform to speak out on issues. — Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, "Could a tweet sink the NBA’s business relationships in China? It’s complicated," 7 Oct. 2019 Wings and burgers have become such an integral part of American cuisine that many would argue for their inherent value, rather than see them as acquired tastes by virtue of their abundance. — Liz Specht, WIRED, "Alt-Meat Trounces Animal Meat's Massive Inefficiencies," 19 Aug. 2019 For a perfect reminder of the inherent value of betting on A-list talent regardless of complicating factors, look no further than Kawhi Leonard’s remarkable bounce-back season with the Raptors. — Ben Golliver, The Denver Post, "How Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury affects his future and the NBA landscape," 11 June 2019 For a perfect reminder of the inherent value of betting on A-list talent regardless of complicating factors, look no further than Kawhi Leonard's remarkable bounce-back season with the Raptors. — Ben Golliver, courant.com, "How Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury affects his future and the NBA landscape," 11 June 2019 Thorson adds that the inherent discomfort associated with protesting can easily trigger unhealed emotional wounds. — Aimee Groth, Quartz at Work, "Extinction Rebellion is using holacracy to scale its international movement," 29 Dec. 2019 The movie has a clear and symbolically resonant dramatic arc, and there’s an inherent pleasure to its being constructed almost entirely of production numbers. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "“Cats” Could Have Been a Contender," 27 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inherent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

19 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Inherent.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inherent?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=i&file=inhere03. Accessed 27 January 2020.

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More Definitions for inherent

inherent

adjective