as in contradictory
formal
so different that agreement is not possible
They thought the two theories were irreconcilable with each other.
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Recent Examples of irreconcilable
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
As Ukraine’s brutal war nears its third year, the two visions risk becoming irreconcilable.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irreconcilable
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
As Ukraine’s brutal war nears its third year, the two visions risk becoming irreconcilable.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irreconcilable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreconcilable
Adjective
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As mentioned previously, not all patients with stage 4 breast cancer at diagnosis may benefit from surgery, as the research literature on its benefit is contradictory.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
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The uncertainty is the product of messages from Washington, D.C., that have been contradictory and indecipherably vague.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This underscores the conflicting considerations to be included in evaluation of the appropriate roles related to our United States military in outer space.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
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This phenomenon also deals with Claude’s propensity to behave badly when faced with conflicting goals, including its desire to avoid retraining.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His current form may be inconsistent at best, but Finau believes the best results of his career are still ahead of him.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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But without a strong messaging foundation, those pieces can feel scattered, inconsistent, or even contradictory.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This history suggests that steep staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs would be antithetical to how the U.S. has cared for veterans for nearly two centuries.—
Made by History,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
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According to these indie producers, union minimums and requirements can be antithetical to how certain indie filmmakers work, with minimums and maximums set for work days, set lunch breaks and task designations, not to mention penalties that can be accrued for productions already on tight budgets.—
Katie Kilkenny,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The satirical series spoofed late-night shows, with Space Ghost often having antagonistic, openly hostile interviews with real, non-animated celebrity guests.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Seimetz’s Paula acts as an antagonistic force against Agnes, resentful of her presence and wishing for a child of her own.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That’s because Brown structured the show so that the five-year relationship between Jamie and Cathy unspools in opposite directions.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
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Between the lines: Usually, unemployment and inflation move in opposite directions, as Axios' Neil Irwin explained recently.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irreconcilable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreconcilable. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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