implacable

/im'plækəbl/

Thân thiện

An implacable judge refused to show any mercy to the defendant.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Incapable of being appeased, pacified, or mollified: Describes a person, feeling, or attitude that cannot be calmed, satisfied, or made less hostile. It implies a relentless, unyielding quality.
   • Unyielding; relentless: Often used to describe hostility, opposition, or determination that is impossible to change or soften.

Usage

The word "implacable" is a formal adjective used to describe an extreme and unchanging state, typically of anger, hostility, or resolve. It is often applied to people (e.g., an enemy, a judge) or abstract concepts (e.g., hatred, opposition). It suggests that attempts to negotiate, apologize, or placate would be futile.

Examples

• Describing a person:
  • The general was an implacable foe who would never accept surrender.
  • She faced implacable opposition from the committee.
• Describing an abstract quality:
  • His implacable hatred for the regime fueled his resistance.
  • The drought brought implacable heat to the region for months.

Advanced Usage

• "Implacable logic": Refers to reasoning or a course of action that is relentless and admits no argument or compromise.
  • The implacable logic of the market forced the company to close.
• "Implacable in one's pursuit/determination": Emphasizes an unwavering and unstoppable commitment to a goal.
  • She was implacable in her pursuit of justice.

Variants and Related Words

• Implacability (noun): The quality of being implacable.
  • The implacability of his anger was frightening.
• Implacably (adverb): In an implacable manner.
  • He stared implacably at his accusers.

Synonyms

• Unappeasable: Unable to be pacified.
• Unrelenting: Not yielding in strength, severity, or determination.
• Inflexible: Unwilling to change or compromise.
• Merciless: Showing no mercy.
• Inexorable: Impossible to stop or prevent.

Antonyms

• Placable: Easily calmed or appeased.
• Yielding: Giving way under pressure; compliant.
• Merciful: Showing or exercising mercy.
• Relenting: Becoming less severe or intense.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Implacable as fate": A simile comparing something unchangeable and relentless to the concept of destiny.
  • The march of time is as implacable as fate.
• "To meet with implacable resistance": To encounter opposition that absolutely will not give way.
  • The reform proposal met with implacable resistance from traditionalists.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. incapable of being placated
   • an implacable enemy