unavoidable

adjective

un·​avoid·​able ˌən-ə-ˈvȯi-də-bəl How to pronounce unavoidable (audio)
: not avoidable : inevitable
The accident was unavoidable.
unavoidably adverb

Examples of unavoidable in a Sentence

unfortunately, kitchen duty will be unavoidable tonight
Recent Examples on the Web As noted by Oded Netzer, Vice Dean for Research and Arthur J. Samberg Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, as part of WalletHub's results, sometimes installments are unavoidable. Eric Griffith, PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2023 If boots are unavoidable—you’re traveling in winter, and there’s little room in your luggage—aim to wear a style that can be removed quickly. Lauren Burvill, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2023 Heritage Christian Academy Superintendent Sharla Elton told the Massillon Independent, part of the USA TODAY Network, that closures are always a difficult decision but sometimes unavoidable. USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023 This new government orthodoxy, however, flies in the face of the latest science, which is clear that reducing both production and consumption of highly-emitting products like beef is a necessary and unavoidable measure to reduce global warming. Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, 5 Sep. 2023 When the Going Gets Weird, the Weird Turn Professional The turn to remote work was unavoidable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2023 Given growing geopolitical tensions with China as well as more recent troubles in the country’s economy, further shifts in global supply chains may be unavoidable. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023 As the shoes became increasingly unavoidable, online curiosity — and the shoes’ visible flaws — grew. Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023 If messes, accidents, or mishaps are unavoidable, opting for a darker color, like these from Madewell, might suit you better. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 27 July 2023 See More

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

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unavoidable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unavoidable

Cite this Entry

“Unavoidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unavoidable. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

unavoidable

adjective
un·​avoid·​able ˌən-ə-ˈvȯid-ə-bəl How to pronounce unavoidable (audio)
: not avoidable : inevitable
the accident was unavoidable
unavoidably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unavoidable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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