inevitably

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Español
Spanish
Français
French
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
Русский
Russian
/ɪnˈevɪtəbli/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
In a way that is certain to happen or cannot reasonably be avoided.

Examples

  • Technology changes, and jobs inevitably change with it.
  • Mistakes inevitably happen during a long project.
  • Prices will inevitably rise if demand keeps growing.
  • Inevitably, some people disagreed with the decision.
  • Their argument inevitably led to a break in the partnership.

Similar words

unavoidably
necessarily
predictably
inescapably
unfailingly
certainly

Meanings

Usage

Inevitably is best for outcomes that feel unavoidable because of facts, pressure, habits, or cause and effect. For weaker predictions, probably or likely is more accurate.

Common mistakes

Inevitably should not be mixed with uncertainty words such as maybe unless the sentence clearly contrasts certainty and doubt. It also differs from eventually, which means after some time, not necessarily unavoidably.

Etymology

Formed from inevitable plus the adverb suffix -ly. Inevitable comes from Latin inevitabilis, from in-, not, and evitare, to avoid, so the literal sense is not able to be avoided.

FAQ

What does inevitably mean?

Inevitably means in a way that is certain to happen or cannot reasonably be avoided.

Is inevitably the same as probably?

No. Probably means likely. Inevitably means unavoidable or certain in the circumstances.

What is the adjective form of inevitably?

The adjective is inevitable, as in an inevitable result.

What is the noun form of inevitably?

The noun is inevitability, meaning the quality of being unavoidable.

What is the difference between inevitably and eventually?

Eventually means after some time. Inevitably means unavoidably.

Where does inevitably go in a sentence?

It often goes before the main verb, after will, or at the beginning: This will inevitably change or Inevitably, this will change.

Is inevitably formal?

It is neutral and common in speech and writing, though it often sounds more careful than of course or surely.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...