Implacable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)im-ˈpla-kə-bəl/ im·pla·ca·ble

Meaning & Definition of Implacable

Implacable (adjective)

  1. not placable, not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated

Implacable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

    "an implacable judge who knew in his bones that the cover-up extended to the highest levels of government"

    similar: adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, inconvincible, inflexible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful, deaf to reason
    related: anal-retentive, obsessive, wayward, wrongheaded, determined, hell-bent, inexorable, persistent, relentless, resolved, set, single-minded, steadfast, stouthearted, tenacious, unflinching, firm, hard-line, hard-shell, iron, severe, stern, strict, hidebound, narrow-minded, rigid, bloody-minded (chiefly British), cantankerous, contrary, cussed, contumacious, disobedient, froward, insubordinate, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, uncooperative, ungovernable, unmanageable, unruly, defiant, insurgent, mutinous, indomitable, invincible, unconquerable, confirmed, inveterate, unregenerate, demanding, exacting
    opposite: acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, flexible, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding
    near: docile, obedient, placable, submissive, tractable, accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing, governable, manageable, reasonable, temperate, slavish, subservient

  2. showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one's purpose

    "an implacable dedication to the proposition that everyone is entitled to a quality education"

    similar: determined, dogged, grim, relentless, unappeasable, unflinching, unrelenting, unyielding
    related: persevering, persistent, tenacious, hard, hardheaded, headstrong, intractable, mulish, obdurate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stubborn, uncooperative, willful, merciless, ruthless, unforgiving
    near: slackening, softening, yielding, impotent, invertebrate, slack, spineless, weak, complaisant, obliging, pliable, pliant

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Implacable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Implacable:

adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, inconvincible, inflexible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful, determined, grim, relentless, unappeasable, unflinching, deaf to reason

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Implacable

Words with the opposite meaning of Implacable:

acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, flexible, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding

Related Words for Implacable

anal-retentive, obsessive, wayward, wrongheaded, hell-bent, inexorable, persistent, resolved, set, single-minded, steadfast, stouthearted, tenacious, firm, hard-line, hard-shell, iron, severe, stern, strict, hidebound, narrow-minded, rigid, bloody-minded, cantankerous, contrary, cussed, contumacious, disobedient, froward

Near Antonyms of Implacable

docile, obedient, placable, submissive, tractable, accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing, governable, manageable, reasonable, temperate, slavish, subservient, slackening, softening, impotent, invertebrate, slack, spineless, weak, complaisant, obliging

Word Forms of Implacable

Derived words: implacability (noun), implacably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Implacable

Middle English, from Latin implacabilis, from in- + placabilis placable

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Implacable

What does "Implacable" mean?

"Implacable" means not placable, not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated. As an adjective, it is defined as: not placable, not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Implacable"?

Other words for "Implacable" include adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened and hardheaded. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Implacable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Implacable"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Implacable". Common alternatives include adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong and immovable.

What is the opposite of "Implacable"?

Antonyms of "Implacable" include acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, flexible, pliable and pliant. Near antonyms include docile, obedient, placable and submissive.

How do you use "Implacable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Implacable" in a sentence: "an implacable judge who knew in his bones that the cover-up extended to the highest levels of government"; "an implacable dedication to the proposition that everyone is entitled to a quality education".

Is "Implacable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Implacable" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Implacable"?

"Implacable" is pronounced /(ˌ)im-ˈpla-kə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as im·pla·ca·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Implacable"?

"Implacable" comes from Middle English, from Latin implacabilis, from in- + placabilis placable. First known use: 15th century.