irrelevance

noun

ir·​rel·​e·​vance i-ˈre-lə-vən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being irrelevant

2

: something irrelevant

Synonyms of irrelevance

• inapplicability
• emptiness
• insignificance

Examples of irrelevance in a Sentence

the irrelevance of the comment brought conversation to a standstill

Recent Examples on the Web

The coal industry is not coming back from its inexorable slide toward irrelevance, not to mention its catastrophic effect on the environment. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Koolhaas’s essay narrates both the irrelevance of modernism and the disappearance of architecture into communication. — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

The Dolphins and their fans have been wandering a quarter century in football abyss, in national irrelevance, and wonder how the franchise of the Perfect Season, of Don Shula and Dan Marino, could get this way. — Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Antonia is a doctor who is sidelined to the point of irrelevance in the film. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for irrelevance

• relevance

Legal Definition

irrelevance

noun

ir·​rel·​e·​vance ir-ˈre-lə-vəns 

1

: the quality or state of being irrelevant

2

: something that is irrelevant