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

The Russian president came for all of Ukraine, whose very statehood is irreconcilable with his vision of his role in history. —Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2025

During his lifetime, Paul Reubens had two consecutive, irreconcilable public personas. —Judy Berman, Time, 30 May 2025

There isn’t an irreconcilable player-and-coach or player-and-organization personality clash, league sources said. —Anthony Slater, New York Times, 29 May 2025

Now, emails, essays and other documents reviewed by CBS News are offering a fresh glimpse into the mind of a young man who was simultaneously planning two irreconcilable futures. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 23 May 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