1
Core quality
Impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
Example
The reform faced implacable opposition from powerful interests.
implacable
/ɪmˈplækəbəl/ · im-PLAK-uh-buladjective
Impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
Use implacable to express this relationship precisely: impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
What implacable Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Her anger seemed implacable despite repeated apologies.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The detective remained an implacable critic of the official account.
Use implacable Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The reform faced implacable opposition from powerful interests.
Her anger seemed implacable despite repeated apologies.
The detective remained an implacable critic of the official account.
Precision Matters
Implacable overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
implacable
vs.Means impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
adamant
Means firmly refusing to change a decision, belief, or position.
implacable
vs.Means impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
resolute
Means firmly determined, unwavering, and unlikely to be discouraged or persuaded to change course.
implacable
vs.Means impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
placate
Means make an angry, dissatisfied, or hostile person calmer and less likely to oppose or retaliate.
implacable
vs.Means impossible or extremely difficult to calm, satisfy, appease, or persuade to change.
appease
Means to calm anger or discontent, often by meeting demands or making concessions.
Test implacable in Context
The hostility cannot be appeased or reduced.
1
Neither apology nor compensation could soften the critic's ___ hostility.