Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˌɪnɪˈlʌktəbl/

Definitions

• Impossible to avoid or evade; inescapable.
• Referring to something that is certain to happen and cannot be avoided.

Usage Examples

• The ineluctable march of time waits for no one.
• The ineluctable conclusion of the story was clear from the beginning.
• Despite his efforts, the ineluctable reality of the situation soon became evident.

Etymology

From Latin "ineluctabilis," meaning "that cannot be escaped," from "in-" (not) + "eluctabilis" (able to be struggled out or escaped, from "eluctari" meaning "to struggle out").

Synonyms

• Inescapable
• Inevitable
• Unavoidable
• Certain
• Predestined

Antonyms

• Avoidable
• Escapable
• Optional
• Uncertain
• Preventable

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In American English, the 'c' is pronounced with a hard 'k' sound.
• In British English, the vowel sound is slightly more rounded in the second syllable.

Historical Usage

The word "ineluctable" has been used since the early 17th century in philosophical and literary texts. It gained significant usage in the works of philosophers like James Joyce and others exploring the themes of fate and determinism.

Cultural Nuances

In modern contexts, "ineluctable" is often used in academic, philosophical, and literary discussions, particularly when addressing concepts of inevitability and the forces that shape human existence, such as fate, destiny, or natural laws.

More Information

Ineluctable is often used in literature to convey the unavoidable nature of certain events or outcomes. It suggests a lack of agency or control, emphasizing the inevitability of life's events. In philosophy, it is frequently associated with determinism, where events are considered predetermined and beyond human influence. The term can also be employed in discussions about the predictability of outcomes in fields like physics, economics, and even social systems.