irreconcilable differences

phrase

formal

: inability to agree on most things or on important things

They are filing for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Examples of irreconcilable differences in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Summer listed the date of separation as May 11, and irreconcilable differences as the reason for going their separate ways. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

What were the irreconcilable differences? — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2026

Large income, wealth, and values gaps within countries that lead to the rise of populism of the right and populism of the left and irreconcilable differences that can’t be resolved with compromises and rule of law. — Ray Dalio, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026

The former couple cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026

Legal Definition

irreconcilable differences

noun plural but singular or plural in construction

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able dif·​fer·​enc·​es

ir-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl-

: substantial incompatibility between marriage partners that is a broad ground for especially no-fault divorce compare irretrievable breakdown of the marriage