Word
irreconcilable
Phoneticsir·rec·on·cil·able
US/ˌɪˈɹɛkənˌsaɪɫəbəɫ/
UK/ɪɹˈɛkənsˌaɪləbəl/
Definition
adj. describing two ideas, facts, or people that are so different they can never agree or work together. You use this when a situation is impossible to fix because the two sides are completely opposite.
adj. representing ideas, beliefs, or situations that are so fundamentally different that they cannot be made compatible. Often describes differences that lead to the permanent end of a relationship or legal agreement.
Examples
“The two friends had irreconcilable differences about politics.”
“After months of failed mediation, the couple decided to divorce due to irreconcilable differences in their long-term goals.”
“The historian argued that the two cultures held irreconcilable views on land ownership, making a peaceful resolution to the border dispute virtually impossible.”
Examples
simple
“The two friends had irreconcilable differences about politics.”
contextual
“After months of failed mediation, the couple decided to divorce due to irreconcilable differences in their long-term goals.”
complex
“The historian argued that the two cultures held irreconcilable views on land ownership, making a peaceful resolution to the border dispute virtually impossible.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “irreconcilable” in context.
Verb
01. deem irreconcilable
“The court deemed their differences irreconcilable and granted a divorce.”
verb + adj
02. remain irreconcilable
“Despite months of intense negotiation, their core demands remain irreconcilable.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. fundamentally irreconcilable
“The two philosophies are fundamentally irreconcilable and cannot coexist in one system.”
adv + adj
04. seemingly irreconcilable
“The mediator struggled to bridge the gap between their seemingly irreconcilable positions.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. irreconcilable conflict
“The war was fueled by irreconcilable conflicts over land and religious identity.”
adj + noun
06. irreconcilable difference
“The couple cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their legal separation.”
adj + noun
07. irreconcilable opposition
“The proposal met with irreconcilable opposition from the local community.”
adj + noun
08. irreconcilable with the facts
“His testimony was found to be completely irreconcilable with the physical evidence.”
09. prove to be irreconcilable
“The two accounts of the event proved to be irreconcilable after further investigation.”
Usage
Typically used to modify abstract nouns like 'differences', 'conflicts', or 'positions'.
Real-World Examples
“James Murdoch's relationship with his father and older brother Lachlan appears irreconcilable.” “Following their discussions, it became clear that Valcambi and the ASFCMP have irreconcilable differences and that continued collaboration is no longer an option," the association said in its statement.” “Speaking at the Greenwich Economic Forum, Dalio said that there are irreconcilable differences between the world's two biggest economies, citing as examples the independence of Taiwan, the battle for chips and geopolitics.” “Morocco, which annexed the northwest African territory in 1975, and ethnic Sahrawi independence movement Polisario Front have maintained irreconcilable positions since the talks began last June, frustrating United Nations mediators.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French irréconciliable, from Late Latin irreconciliābilis, from in- (“not”) + reconciliō (“I reconcile”) + -ābilis (“-able”). By surface analysis, ir- + reconcilable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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