inextricable

IPA/ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbl/
KK[ˌɪnˈɛkstrɪkˌʌbəl]IPA/ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbl/

inextricable — adjective

  • inextricablepositive
  • more inextricablecomparative
  • most inextricablesuperlative

1. describing a connection between things that is so tight or tangled that they can

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describing a connection between things that is so tight or tangled that they cannot be separated or freed from each other

Example

The history of the island and the lives of its Indigenous people are inextricable.

predicative use: 'are inextricable'

Kwame felt trapped in an inextricable situation where every choice hurt someone he cared about.

attributive use: 'an inextricable situation'

Common collocations
  • inextricable link
  • inextricable connection
  • inextricable relationship
  • inextricable part
  • inextricable tangle
  • inextricable from
Synonyms
  • inseparable

    the most common synonym; used for both literal and figurative connections, but less formal than 'inextricable'

  • entangled

    highlights the messy or complex nature of the connection, but is more negative in tone

  • indissoluble

    even more formal than 'inextricable'; suggests a permanent bond that cannot be broken

Antonyms
  • separable

    describes things that can be easily divided or distinguished from each other

  • independent

    describes things that exist or operate without being tied to each other

Grammar Patterns

inextricable + noun

inextricable from + noun phrase

Usage Note

This adjective is most common in formal and academic writing. The pattern X is inextricable from Y is the most frequent grammatical structure, showing that X and Y cannot be separated. When used alone before a noun (an inextricable tangle), it emphasises that the thing itself is impossible to untangle or escape.

Common Mistakes

The two ideas are inextricable connected.
The two ideas are inextricably connected.
'inextricable' is an adjective; the adverb 'inextricably' is needed before an adjective or past participle.
The knot is inextricable from my shoelaces.
The knot in my shoelaces is inextricable.
'inextricable from' usually connects abstract or conceptual things, not physical objects tied together. Use 'impossible to untie' for literal knots in laces.

Etymology

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1