inapplicable

adjective

in·​ap·​pli·​ca·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈna-pli-kə-bəl How to pronounce inapplicable (audio)
also ˌi-nə-ˈpli-kə-
Synonyms of inapplicablenext
: not applicable : irrelevant
The rules are inapplicable in this instance.
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

Synonyms of inapplicable

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.
Like everything else in the Law, exemptions are subject to the General Rule which is that general rules are generally inapplicable. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Here are the kicking motion rules, which the NHL deemed inapplicable given their determination that Hellebuyck propelled the puck into his own net. Murat Ates, New York Times, 12 May 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 To qualify, a company must pay union wages or, if union wages are inapplicable, at least the city's minimum wage, which is currently $20.80 per hour, Meyers said. Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inapplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inapplicable. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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

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