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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.
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
Pounding the pavement to rummage for vintage treasure is inherent to unearthing the rare and one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrity stylists, editors, and fashion-loving brides-to-be seek her out for.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
Similarly, companies that release forked AOSP products rarely use the main AOSP branch due to its inherent instability.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
For as bleak as things can feel for Chicago’s South Side ballclub, there is still an inherent optimism when everyone’s record is 0-0.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Slip Dresses Are So Back Slip dresses emerged as one of Spring/Summer 2025’s standout silhouettes from Milan to Paris to New York, with designers like Gucci, Chloé, and Ulla Johnson embracing their effortless allure and inherent sensuality.
—Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inherent
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Talia Abbas, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
Similarly, companies that release forked AOSP products rarely use the main AOSP branch due to its inherent instability.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
For as bleak as things can feel for Chicago’s South Side ballclub, there is still an inherent optimism when everyone’s record is 0-0.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Slip Dresses Are So Back Slip dresses emerged as one of Spring/Summer 2025’s standout silhouettes from Milan to Paris to New York, with designers like Gucci, Chloé, and Ulla Johnson embracing their effortless allure and inherent sensuality.
—Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inherent
Cite this Entry
“Inherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inherent. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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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