Word: inexorable (adjective)

Associations

The word "inexorable" means something that cannot be stopped, changed, or avoided. It often describes a process, event, or force that moves forward no matter what happens.

• The inexorable march of time. This means time keeps moving forward, no matter what we do.
• The inexorable rise of technology. Technology keeps advancing and changing our lives.
• The inexorable laws of nature. Natural laws cannot be changed or ignored.

A synonym is "relentless," but "relentless" often implies someone or something actively pushing or attacking, while "inexorable" is more neutral and emphasizes that something cannot be stopped.

Substitution

You can replace "inexorable" with:

• unstoppable (focuses on inability to be stopped)
• inevitable (focuses on something certain to happen)
• relentless (focuses on persistent pressure or effort)

Each changes the feeling slightly. For example, "inevitable" is more about certainty, while "inexorable" emphasizes unstoppable movement or progress.

Deconstruction

• Prefix: "in-" means "not" or "without"
• Root: "exor-" comes from Latin "exorare," meaning "to plead" or "to persuade"
• Suffix: "-able" means "capable of" or "able to be"

So, "inexorable" literally means "not able to be persuaded or moved." This fits the idea of something that cannot be stopped or changed.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation in your life where something felt inexorable?
• How would you describe a natural disaster using this word?
• What other things in the world do you think are inexorable? Why?