irreconcilable

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl How to pronounce irreconcilable (audio)
-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-,
ˌi(r)-
: impossible to reconcile
irreconcilable differences
irreconcilability noun
irreconcilableness noun
irreconcilably
i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-blē How to pronounce irreconcilable (audio)
-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-
ˌi(r)
adverb

irreconcilable

2 of 2

noun

: one that is irreconcilable
especially : a member of a group (such as a political party) opposing compromise or collaboration

Examples of irreconcilable in a Sentence

Adjective theories that are irreconcilable with each other
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Israelis and Palestinians live in two irreconcilable worlds. Greg Myre, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024 Yet Biden’s end — the resolution of an irreconcilable conflict — is utopian. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 30 Mar. 2024 The city police are subordinate to the city mayor, the airport police to the federal government—both being at irreconcilable odds with each other. Karen Naundorf, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023 Nothing in the original Constitution was irreconcilable with a color-blind society in which there was no slavery. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 Carrying those irreconcilable narratives, politicians have begun parading through East Palestine with their own agendas to pursue. Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2023 Matson Photograph Collection, Library of Congress Over the following decades, two nationalisms, Palestinian and Jewish, took root on the same land and began to compete in a way that has ever since proved irreconcilable. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024 When a person’s in a double bind, they’re confronted with two irreconcilable demands and feel set-up to fail. Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The issues involved feel irreconcilable, because many of those engaged in the debate believe that their positions represent the moral high ground. Charles Blow, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irreconcilable was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near irreconcilable

Cite this Entry

“Irreconcilable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreconcilable. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

irreconcilable

adjective
ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able
(ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)ek-ən-ˈsī-lə-bəl,
(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ek-ən-ˌsī-
: impossible to reconcile, adjust, or harmonize
ended the partnership because of irreconcilable differences
irreconcilably
-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irreconcilable

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