Word
inalienable
Phoneticsin·alien·able
US/ˌɪˈneɪɫjənəbəɫ/
UK/ɪnˈeɪliənəbəl/
Definition
adj. describing a right or quality that you cannot lose or give away. These are things that belong to you forever, like your freedom of speech.
adj. describing a right or quality that cannot be surrendered, transferred, or taken away. Often used in legal or philosophical contexts to describe fundamental human rights.
Examples
“The constitution guarantees inalienable rights like freedom of speech.”
“The philosopher argued that certain human rights are inalienable and cannot be removed by any government.”
“While the state may impose certain restrictions on property, the fundamental inalienable rights of the individual remain protected by the supreme law of the land.”
Examples
simple
“The constitution guarantees inalienable rights like freedom of speech.”
contextual
“The philosopher argued that certain human rights are inalienable and cannot be removed by any government.”
complex
“While the state may impose certain restrictions on property, the fundamental inalienable rights of the individual remain protected by the supreme law of the land.”
Real-World Examples
“Anwar’s comments were praised by the Chinese government, with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman stressing that Taiwan is “an inalienable part of China’s territory” and that “China must and will be reunited”.” “In the letter to ICRC chief Mirjana Spoljaric, published by Iranian media, he accused Qatar of violating "the inalienable rights of these prisoners, contrary to all international laws and regulations".” Etymology
Borrowed around 1645 from French inaliénable, from in- + aliénable (“alienable”), equivalent to in- + alienable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/inalienable