Jump to content

inevitably

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]
WOTD – 5 December 2007

Etymology

[edit]

From inevitable +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Adverb

[edit]

inevitably (not comparable)

  1. In a manner that is impossible to avoid or prevent.
    Inevitably, all creatures eventually die.
    The sun inevitably rises.
    Despite the town's best efforts, the dam inevitably gave way.
    The inevitably cold winter approaches.
    • 1960 June, “Diesel locomotive operation on the Great Eastern Line”, in Trains Illustrated, page 374:
      In a period of transition from steam to diesel, many of the schemes are inevitably of an interim nature and only on full dieselisation will the final pattern be determined and full benefit derived.
    • 2025 February 11, Steven Levitsky, Lucan A. Way, “The Path to American Authoritarianism”, in Foreign Affairs‎[1], archived from the original on 12 February 2025:
      He could also fulfill his campaign promise to launch the “largest deportation operation in American history,” targeting millions of people in an abuse-ridden process that would inevitably lead to the mistaken detention of thousands of U.S. citizens.
    • 2026 February 18, Paul Clifton, “West of England Line problems laid bare”, in RAIL, page 7:
      Will this decision-making paralysis continue until Great British Railways has been established and settled into a new rhythm? If so, passengers on the West of England line are in for a rough ride, as the reliability of these tired old British Rail trains inevitably declines, and maintenance costs rise.
  2. As usual; predictably; as expected.
    Inevitably, the next-door neighbour began to mow his lawn just as she lays down her head after a long night shift.
    The child inevitably began to cry when his mother went to work.
    The inevitably long line of customers queued for the latest 'Harry Potter'.
    • 2014 June 20, Charlie Cooper, “Why the West must ignore Iraq’s pleas for military intervention”, in CNN‎[2], archived from the original on 18 February 2016:
      Far from it: direct military intervention by a Western state – even if Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is requesting it – would dramatically worsen the situation, and ISIS, contrary to what pro-interventionists might say, would inevitably come out on top.

Synonyms

[edit]

Antonyms

[edit]
[edit]

Translations

[edit]

References

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=inevitably&oldid=89673591"