inevitable

[in-ev-i-tuh-buhl] / ɪnˈɛv ɪ tə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

certain; cannot be avoided

Synonyms

STRONGEST

imminent impending inescapable inexorable irresistible necessary unavoidable undeniable

STRONG

binding doomed pat

WEAK

all locked up assured compulsory decided decreed destined determined fated fateful fixed for certain foreordained in the bag ineluctable ineludible inflexible irrevocable no ifs ands or buts obligatory ordained prescribed settled sure unalterable unpreventable without recourse

Antonyms

STRONGEST

avoidable distant escapable later

WEAK

doubtful fortuitous preventable uncertain unlikely unsure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Certainly, given the way the negotiations were set up, failure was inevitable.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

The results were obvious and inevitable to anyone who never worked at McKinsey.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

The so-called fog of war and secrecy of special-forces operations make such disputes almost inevitable, according to Beam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Perhaps we will have to wait for Sir Keir's inevitable post-premiership autobiography for the unvarnished truth.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The adoption of the new system of control is never inevitable, but to date it has never been avoided.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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