inevitable

adjective

in·ev·i·ta·ble | \ i-ˈne-və-tə-bəl

Definition of inevitable

: incapable of being avoided or evaded an inevitable outcome

Other Words from inevitable Synonyms & Antonyms Absolutely Inevitable (Or Not) More Example Sentences Learn More about inevitable

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Other Words from inevitable

inevitability \ i-ˌne-və-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

inevitableness \ i-ˈne-və-tə-bəl-nəs

\ noun

Absolutely Inevitable (Or Not)

Inevitable can occasionally be found used as a noun (“the inevitable had come to pass”), but more frequently it is encountered as an adjective. Some, in fact, would classify this word not only as an adjective, but as a special kind: the absolute adjective. Absolute adjectives permit little or no variation, and cannot (in the view of some) be used in the comparative or superlative form. For instance, a person may be dead or not, but cannot be the deadest among other dead people. This neat classification seems logical enough, yet it does not apply in all situations. After all, we often speak of things as dead in a non-biological sense; can a ball that is dead (not fully inflated) be deader than another ball? Of course it can. Similar attempts to impose the "absolute" label have been made in the case of inevitable. Some consider it improper to modify the word, arguing that “almost inevitable” is illogical. Yet these two words have been successfully paired together since at least 1576, when Abraham Flemming, in a translation of Cicero, wrote, “in what snares (almost ineuitable) of vnluckinesse we be intangled.”

Examples of inevitable in a Sentence

The captain of archers fidgeted and coughed and rolled his eyes at his men, as if such cupidity and dishonor were an inevitable but minor aspect of the human predicament … — Michael Chabon, New York Times Magazine, 6 May 2007 In a society that has gold-plated everything from hubcaps to teeth, it was perhaps inevitable that someone would find a way to add some bling to bacteria. — Zach Zorich, Discover, February 2006 The Vikings disappeared, but the Inuit survived, proving that human survival in Greenland was not impossible and the Vikings' disappearance not inevitable. — Jared M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005 getting wet is inevitable if you are going to try to give your dog a bath

Recent Examples on the Web

With its extensive offerings, a shock-and-awe approach was perhaps inevitable. — Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, "What D23 Expo’s Newly Revealed Mega-Slate Tells Us About Disney+," 26 Aug. 2019 Returning to her old country sound was probably inevitable. — Mikael Wood, chicagotribune.com, "Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’: All 18 songs, ranked," 26 Aug. 2019 Returning to her old country sound was probably inevitable. — Los Angeles Times, "Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover': All 18 songs, ranked," 25 Aug. 2019 For investors and the firms they finance, whose physical assets seldom last longer than 20 years, that is probably inevitable—though even businesses should acquaint themselves with their holdings’ nearer-term risks (which few in fact do). — The Economist, "One way or another the deluge is coming," 15 Aug. 2019 This is as inevitable as watching lapels widen and thin, or watching your grandmother's ugly furniture show up on a trendy magazine cover at the supermarket. — Ray Magliozzi, courant.com, "Car Talk: These ‘dented’ doors do no good," 11 Aug. 2019 Finding keto-friendly options on menus here is as inevitable as seeing sunshine in Santa Monica or discovering traffic on the 405 freeway. — Brad Japhe, USA TODAY, "Keto is no passing craze as restaurants cater to ketosis-loving crowd in LA," 30 July 2019 In those conditions, a major fire is almost inevitable, but the conditions are unusual. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Warming climate likely leading to larger California fires," 18 July 2019 Union officials have said such a death was inevitable because of short staffing and the forced overtime that guards are working. — Devlin Barrett, Anchorage Daily News, "After Epstein’s death, attorney general replaces leader at Bureau of Prisons," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inevitable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for inevitable

inevitable

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of inevitable

: sure to happen

See the full definition for inevitable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

inevitable

adjective

in·ev·i·ta·ble | \ i-ˈne-və-tə-bəl

Kids Definition of inevitable

: sure to happen : certain It was inevitable that the clash for leadership should come.— Jack London, The Call of the Wild

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inevitable

Definition of inevitable

Other Words from inevitable

Synonyms & Antonyms for inevitable

Absolutely Inevitable (Or Not)

Examples of inevitable in a Sentence

First Known Use of inevitable

History and Etymology for inevitable

English Language Learners Definition of inevitable

Kids Definition of inevitable

inevitable

Definition of inevitable

Other Words from inevitable

Synonyms & Antonyms for inevitable

Absolutely Inevitable (Or Not)

Examples of inevitable in a Sentence

First Known Use of inevitable

History and Etymology for inevitable

English Language Learners Definition of inevitable

Kids Definition of inevitable

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