irreconcilable

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl 

-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-,

ˌi(r)-

: impossible to reconcile

irreconcilable differences

irreconcilability

i-ˌre-kən-ˌsī-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

irreconcilableness

i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl-nəs 

-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-

noun

irreconcilably

i-ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-blē 

-ˈre-kən-ˌsī-

ˌi(r)

adverb

irreconcilable

2 of 2

noun

: one that is irreconcilable

especially : a member of a group (such as a political party) opposing compromise or collaboration

Examples of irreconcilable in a Sentence

Adjective

theories that are irreconcilable with each other

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Both sides have voiced seemingly irreconcilable demands in their months of negotiations, thwarting numerous diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration. —Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Three of them—Russia, China, and North Korea—have publicly declared irreconcilable opposition to American-style liberal democracy. —John R. Allen, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Sep. 2024

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, China’s leaders attempted to balance two fundamentally irreconcilable interests. —Evan A. Feigenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2023

Prospects for peace For a peace deal to be possible, Putin and Zelensky would both have to soften their irreconcilable positions. —Dave Lawler, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing irreconcilable

• irreconcilable differences

Rhymes for irreconcilable

• reconcilable

Kids Definition

irreconcilable

adjective

ir·​rec·​on·​cil·​able

(ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)ek-ən-ˈsī-lə-bəl,

(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ek-ən-ˌsī-

: impossible to reconcile, adjust, or harmonize

ended the partnership because of irreconcilable differences

irreconcilably

-blē

adverb