irrelevant

adjective

ir·​rel·​e·​vant i-ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce irrelevant (audio)
: not relevant : inapplicable
that statement is irrelevant to your argument
irrelevantly adverb

Examples of irrelevant in a Sentence

His comment is completely irrelevant. irrelevant questions that merely disrupted the classroom lesson
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Geography becomes irrelevant when AI handles the grunt work. Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 Talking about Linux in this context is pretty irrelevant anyways, since the Xbox consoles run a variant of Windows. Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025 Each cancer journey is different, and others' stories can be irrelevant or trigger fears. Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 July 2025 Although some analysts argue that the NPT was already irrelevant to Iran, given Tehran’s extensive nuclear projects over the years, the country’s violations of the treaty provided the legal justification necessary for the UN Security Council’s Iran sanctions. Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for irrelevant

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irrelevant was in 1786

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irrelevant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrelevant. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

irrelevant

adjective
ir·​rel·​e·​vant (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)el-ə-vənt How to pronounce irrelevant (audio)
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent
the evidence presented was judged irrelevant to the case
irrelevance
-vən(t)s
noun
or irrelevancy
-vən-sē
irrelevantly adverb

Legal Definition

irrelevant

adjective
ir·​rel·​e·​vant ir-ˈre-lə-vənt How to pronounce irrelevant (audio)
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent
irrelevant allegations
irrelevant evidence
compare immaterial
irrelevantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irrelevant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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