inapplicable

adjective

in·​ap·​pli·​ca·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈna-pli-kə-bəl How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
 also  ˌi-nə-ˈpli-kə-
: not applicable : irrelevant
inapplicability
(ˌ)i-ˌna-pli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
 also  ˌi-nə-ˌpli-kə-
noun
inapplicably
(ˌ)i-ˈna-pli-kə-blē How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
 also  ˌi-nə-ˈpli-kə-
adverb

Examples of inapplicable in a Sentence

the judge refused to allow mention of the defendant's conviction for shoplifting, ruling that it was inapplicable to the case at hand
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That was the site of its preseason test days, although that event was held in unseasonably cold weather, which means much of what the teams learned then may be inapplicable this coming weekend. ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 Yet those in power show little tolerance to law when open government, public records, national security and other laws are ignored or violated under a self-serving declaration that laws somehow are inapplicable to political leaders — applicable to others, just not to them. Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025 That was the site of its preseason test days, although that event was held in unseasonably cold weather, which means much of what the teams learned then may be inapplicable this coming weekend. ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 Yet those in power show little tolerance to law when open government, public records, national security and other laws are ignored or violated under a self-serving declaration that laws somehow are inapplicable to political leaders — applicable to others, just not to them. Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inapplicable

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inapplicable was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Inapplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inapplicable. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

inapplicable

adjective
in·​ap·​pli·​ca·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈap-li-kə-bəl How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
 also  ˌin-ə-ˈplik-ə-
: not applicable : irrelevant
inapplicability
(ˌ)in-ˌap-li-kə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
 also  ˌin-ə-ˌplik-ə-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inapplicable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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