inextricable

adjective

in·​ex·​tri·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈstri-kə-bəl How to pronounce inextricable (audio) (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)stri- How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
1
: forming a maze or tangle from which it is impossible to get free
2
a
: incapable of being disentangled or untied
an inextricable knot
b
: not capable of being solved
inextricability
ˌi-nik-ˌstri-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)stri-
noun
inextricably
ˌi-nik-ˈstri-kə-blē How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)stri-
adverb

Examples of inextricable in a Sentence

He argues that there is an inextricable link between poverty and poor health.
Recent Examples on the Web For Biden, questions about his age were inextricable from feelings of being underestimated by the establishment. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 In 2024, rap music and hip-hop culture are almost inextricable from the commercial record industry. John Morrison, SPIN, 13 Feb. 2024 For decades, Belichick's name and the Patriots' brand have been inextricable. Jack McKessy, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 As All Physicians Lead argues, leadership is inextricable from quality physicianship. Forbes Partner Releases, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 An erotic craving is inextricable from the ferment that foams up when oneself is sluiced into another. Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 In 2024, as in 2023, the industry’s fate seems inextricable from interest rates. Damian Garde, STAT, 1 Feb. 2024 All of it is inextricable from Berner, the stage name of Gilbert Milam, 40, the company’s co-founder and chief executive, who spent two decades as a rapper with a sideline as a dealer — or as a dealer with a sideline as a rapper. Ezra Marcus, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 For a long time, Belichick’s terse, authoritarian style has been seen as inextricable from all his winning. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inextricable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin inextricabilis, from in- + extricabilis extricable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near inextricable

Cite this Entry

“Inextricable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inextricable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inextricable

adjective
in·​ex·​tri·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈstrik-ə-bəl How to pronounce inextricable (audio) (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)strik- How to pronounce inextricable (audio)
: impossible to untangle or to get free from
an inextricable knot
inextricably adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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