as in irrelevant
not having anything to do with the matter at hand
the judge refused to allow mention of the defendant's conviction for shoplifting, ruling that it was inapplicable to the case at hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of inapplicable
Here are the kicking motion rules, which the NHL deemed inapplicable given their determination that Hellebuyck propelled the puck into his own net.
—
Murat Ates, New York Times, 12 May 2025
That was the site of its preseason test days, although that event was held in unseasonably cold weather, which means much of what the teams learned then may be inapplicable this coming weekend.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Yet those in power show little tolerance to law when open government, public records, national security and other laws are ignored or violated under a self-serving declaration that laws somehow are inapplicable to political leaders — applicable to others, just not to them.
—Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
To qualify, a company must pay union wages or, if union wages are inapplicable, at least the city's minimum wage, which is currently $20.80 per hour, Meyers said.
—Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for inapplicable
Murat Ates, New York Times, 12 May 2025
That was the site of its preseason test days, although that event was held in unseasonably cold weather, which means much of what the teams learned then may be inapplicable this coming weekend.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Yet those in power show little tolerance to law when open government, public records, national security and other laws are ignored or violated under a self-serving declaration that laws somehow are inapplicable to political leaders — applicable to others, just not to them.
—Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
To qualify, a company must pay union wages or, if union wages are inapplicable, at least the city's minimum wage, which is currently $20.80 per hour, Meyers said.
—Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for inapplicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inapplicable
irrelevant
Adjective
-
Without political capital, leadership is irrelevant, because such a person is incapable of being a leader.—
Jim Nowlan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Their win, combined with Edmonton’s 6-1 rout of Vancouver, made the Kings’ result in Calgary irrelevant and locked in the final seedings for the Ducks, Kings and Oilers.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inapplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inapplicable. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
