If two things such as opinions or proposals are irreconcilable, they are so different from each other that it is not possible to believe or have both of them.
[formal]
...incompatibility between two irreconcilable positions.
These old concepts are irreconcilable with modern life. [+ with]
2. adjective
An irreconcilable disagreement or conflict is so serious that it cannot be settled.
[formal]
...an irreconcilable clash of personalities.
Synonyms: implacable, uncompromising, inflexible, inexorable More Synonyms of irreconcilable
More Synonyms of irreconcilable
irreconcilable in British English
(ɪˈrɛkənˌsaɪləbəl, ɪˌrɛkənˈsaɪ-)
adjective
1.
not able to be reconciled; uncompromisingly conflicting; incompatible
noun
2.
a person or thing that is implacably hostile or uncompromisingly opposed
3. (usually plural)
one of various principles, ideas, etc, that are incapable of being brought into agreement
Derived forms
irreconcilability (irˌreconˌcilaˈbility) or irreconcilableness (irˈreconˌcilableness)
noun
irreconcilably (irˈreconˌcilably)
adverb
irreconcilable in American English
(ɪˌrɛkənˈsaɪləbəl)
adjective
1.
that cannot be reconciled; that cannot be brought into agreement; incompatible, conflicting,or inconsistent
noun
2.
a person who is irreconcilable and refuses to make any compromise
3. [pl.]
ideas, beliefs, etc. that cannot be brought into agreement with each other
Derived forms
irreconcilability (ˌirˌreconˌcilaˈbility)
noun
irreconcilably (ˌirˌreconˈcilably)
adverb
Examples of 'irreconcilable' in a sentence
irreconcilable
She filed for divorce after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
The Sun (2016)
The archbishop is to be wished well in his attempts to reconcile the irreconcilable.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is time to stop trying to reconcile the irreconcilable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The tower represented for me at that moment two irreconcilable choices.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
They represent irreconcilable views of the relation between leaders and the people.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Time spent attempting to reconcile with an irreconcilable critic is time that could have been invested in something else.
Christianity Today (2000)
Britain will be told that these two goals are irreconcilable, but reconciled they must be.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There were two largely irreconcilable views on whether the Spitfire women should do so.
Giles Whittell Spitfire Women of World War II (2007)
But given the complexity, there is considerable scope for irreconcilable differences to emerge within the consortium.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I plan on citing irreconcilable differences in our divorce.
The Sun (2006)
It was an irreconcilable difference.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
It's all too easy to let things drift until the situation becomes so bad that we reach a point of irreconcilable differences.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It became clear that we had an irreconcilable difference of opinion and I withdrew from the case.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She divorced him after 19 years, citing irreconcilable differences.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Scientology aside, it's always sad when irreconcilable differences lead in opposite directions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In 2012 the band split up in the middle of a tour, citing irreconcilable differences.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Both are attempting to defy logic and, indeed, extinction by trying to reconcile two irreconcilable cultures.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
irreconcilable
British English: irreconcilable ADJECTIVE
If two things such as opinions or proposals are irreconcilable, they are so different from each other that it is not possible to believe or have both of them.
...incompatibility between two irreconcilable positions.
American English: irreconcilable
Brazilian Portuguese: irreconciliável
Chinese: 相对立的
European Spanish: irreconciliable
French: inconciliable
German: unvereinbar
Italian: irriconciliabile
Japanese: 相容れない
Korean: 양립할 수 없는
European Portuguese: irreconciliável
Latin American Spanish: irreconciliable
1 (adjective)
an irreconcilable clash of personalities
Synonyms
implacable
the threat of invasion by a ruthless and implacable enemy
uncompromising
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.
inflexible
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
inexorable
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
intransigent
The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent.
unappeasable
2 (adjective)
Definition
not able to be resolved or settled
their irreconcilable points of view
Synonyms
incompatible
Their interests were mutually incompatible.
conflicting
There are conflicting reports on the severity of his injuries.
opposed
people with views almost diametrically opposed to his own
inconsistent
The outburst was inconsistent with the image he had cultivated.
incongruous
She looked incongruous in an army uniform.
diametrically opposed
clashing
Additional synonyms
in the sense of conflicting
There are conflicting reports on the severity of his injuries.
Synonyms
incompatible,
opposed,
opposing,
clashing,
contrary,
adverse,
contradictory,
inconsistent,
paradoxical,
discordant
in the sense of incongruous
Definition
out of place
She looked incongruous in an army uniform.
Synonyms
inappropriate,
absurd,
out of place,
conflicting,
contrary,
contradictory,
inconsistent,
unsuitable,
improper,
incompatible,
discordant,
incoherent,
extraneous,
unsuited,
unbecoming,
out of keeping,
inapt,
disconsonant,
paradoxical,
ironic
in the sense of inconsistent
Definition
not in accordance
The outburst was inconsistent with the image he had cultivated.
Synonyms
incompatible,
conflicting,
contrary,
at odds,
contradictory,
in conflict,
incongruous,
discordant,
incoherent,
out of step,
irreconcilable,
at variance,
discrepant,
inconstant,
vagarious (rare)
Nearby words of
irreconcilable
irradiate
irrational
irrationality
irreconcilable
irrecoverable
irrefutable
irregular
Synonyms of 'irreconcilable'
irreconcilable
Explore 'irreconcilable' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inexorable
Definition
unable to be prevented from continuing or progressing
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
Synonyms
unrelenting,
relentless,
implacable,
hard,
severe,
harsh,
cruel,
adamant,
inescapable,
inflexible,
merciless,
unyielding,
immovable,
remorseless,
pitiless,
unbending,
obdurate,
ineluctable,
unappeasable
in the sense of inflexible
Definition
unwilling to be persuaded
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
Synonyms
obstinate,
strict,
relentless,
firm,
fixed,
iron,
adamant,
rigorous,
stubborn,
stringent,
uncompromising,
resolute,
steely,
intractable,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
hard and fast,
unyielding,
immutable,
immovable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
dyed-in-the-wool,
unchangeable,
brassbound,
set in your ways
in the sense of intransigent
Definition
refusing to change one's attitude
The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent.
Synonyms
uncompromising,
intractable,
tough,
stubborn,
hardline,
tenacious,
unyielding,
obstinate,
immovable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
inflexible,
unbudgeable
in the sense of opposed
people with views almost diametrically opposed to his own
Synonyms
contrary,
opposite,
conflicting,
opposing,
clashing,
counter,
adverse,
contradictory,
in opposition,
incompatible,
antithetical,
antipathetic,
dissentient
in the sense of uncompromising
Definition
not prepared to compromise
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.