irrelevance

noun

ir·​rel·​e·​vance i-ˈre-lə-vən(t)s How to pronounce irrelevance (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being irrelevant
2
: something irrelevant

Examples of irrelevance in a Sentence

the irrelevance of the comment brought conversation to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web The schools allowed their programs to deteriorate to the point of irrelevance just when realignment struck. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 The Baltimore Orioles’ ascension from the ashes of irrelevance has rejuvenated a once moribund franchise who were regular cellar dwellers in the American League East. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 These are arguments of the intellectually desperate and politically nervous, something only underlined by their irrelevance as explanations for the criticism that has come Unilever’s way. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 17 Dec. 2023 The zero-sum game mentality that stokes the fear of irrelevance in the dominant group and alienates people with diverse backgrounds through tokenism has created a polarization in DEI work. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 What’s unacceptable about this threadbare fantasy is its contemporary irrelevance. Armond White, National Review, 7 Feb. 2024 The problem for the diminishing few in the Republican Party who hunger for responsible conservative governance is that these MAGA Media celebrities are leading the GOP down a path of isolation, which could ultimately result in its irrelevance with the rest of society. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024 While some fear artificial intelligence will lead the humanity’s eventual destruction or irrelevance, others are using the technology for more practical purposes in the here and now. Consider Doritos. Bysteve Mollman, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2023 That move was ostensibly aimed at protecting the state’s coal industry, which has been on an inexorable slide toward economic irrelevance. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irrelevance.' 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

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of irrelevance was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near irrelevance

Cite this Entry

“Irrelevance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrelevance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

irrelevance

noun
ir·​rel·​e·​vance ir-ˈre-lə-vəns How to pronounce irrelevance (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being irrelevant
2
: something that is irrelevant

More from Merriam-Webster on irrelevance

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