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Don't Get Stuck on the Meaning of Inherent
Inherent literally refers to something that is "stuck in" something else so firmly that they can't be separated. A plan may have an inherent flaw that will cause it to fail; a person may have inherent virtues that everyone admires. Since the flaw and the virtues can't be removed, the plan may simply have to be thrown out and the person will remain virtuous forever.
Synonyms
Examples of inherent in a Sentence
It is one more proof that our world has lost the kind of exquisite sensibility displayed by John Milton when he came up with his definition of poetry. He first wrote "simple, sensual, and passionate," but he was bothered by the grossness inherent in "sensual," and so he invented the word "sensuous."
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Florence King, National Review, 24 Sept. 2007
There were those who trusted the innate goodness of humanity, and those who believed in its inherent crookedness.
—Terry Eagleton, Harper's, March 2005
The problem … is inherent and perennial in any democracy, but it has been more severe in ours during the past quarter-century because of the near universal denigration of government, politics and politicians.
—Michael Kinsley, Time, 29 Oct. 2001
He has an inherent sense of fair play.
an inherent concept of justice
Florence King, National Review, 24 Sept. 2007
There were those who trusted the innate goodness of humanity, and those who believed in its inherent crookedness.
—Terry Eagleton, Harper's, March 2005
The problem … is inherent and perennial in any democracy, but it has been more severe in ours during the past quarter-century because of the near universal denigration of government, politics and politicians.
—Michael Kinsley, Time, 29 Oct. 2001
He has an inherent sense of fair play.
an inherent concept of justice
Recent Examples on the Web
While the baseline rate of psychopathy among CEOs is concerningly high, the extended evaluation period inherent in insider succession offers a greater chance to identify and weed out problematic candidates.
—Gautam Mukunda, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Gallup even once toyed with the idea of establishing a championship among pollsters, a recognition of sorts of the competitive entertainment inherent in election polling.
—W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
Grand Wash Trail Starting from the same trailhead as Cassidy Arch, the Grand Wash gives day hikers a taste of the slot-canyon landscape without the common inherent dangers of mandatory rappels and flash-flood potential.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2024
The fingerprints left by filmmaker Nick Park and his comrades at Aardman Animation on the clay figures of their flagship duo Wallace and Gromit are visual proof of the tactility inherent in their construction.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inherent 
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Gautam Mukunda, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Gallup even once toyed with the idea of establishing a championship among pollsters, a recognition of sorts of the competitive entertainment inherent in election polling.
—W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
Grand Wash Trail Starting from the same trailhead as Cassidy Arch, the Grand Wash gives day hikers a taste of the slot-canyon landscape without the common inherent dangers of mandatory rappels and flash-flood potential.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2024
The fingerprints left by filmmaker Nick Park and his comrades at Aardman Animation on the clay figures of their flagship duo Wallace and Gromit are visual proof of the tactility inherent in their construction.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inherent
Dictionary Entries Near inherent
Cite this Entry
“Inherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inherent. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inherent
adjective
in·her·ent
in-ˈhir-ənt 
-ˈher-
: belonging to or being a part of the nature of a person or thing
an inherent sense of fair play
fluidity is an inherent quality of gas
inherently
adverb
Medical Definition
inherent
adjective
in·her·ent
in-ˈhir-ənt
in-ˈher-
in-ˈher-
: involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature
the skin's inherent elasticity—Kathleen C. Engles
Kathleen C. Engles
inherently
adverb
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