implacable
“implacable” means “relentless” in Spanish (Something that does not stop or show mercy.).
relentless
Also: implacable, unstoppable
📝 In Action
El sol implacable del desierto nos agotó rápidamente.
B1The relentless desert sun exhausted us quickly.
Es un juez implacable que siempre sigue la ley al pie de la letra.
B2He is a relentless judge who always follows the law to the letter.
Su lógica era implacable; no pude encontrar ningún error en su argumento.
C1His logic was unstoppable; I couldn't find any error in his argument.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: implacable
Question 1 of 3
Which of these would best be described as 'implacable'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'implacabilis'. It combines 'in-' (meaning 'not') with 'placare' (meaning 'to soothe or calm'). So it literally describes someone or something that cannot be soothed.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'implacable' a common word in daily conversation?
It's a bit more formal than words like 'duro' or 'fuerte'. You'll hear it more in movies, books, or news reports than when chatting with friends at a cafe.
Can I use it for positive things?
Usually, it has a slightly negative or intimidating tone because it implies a lack of mercy. However, it can be positive if you are describing someone's 'lógica implacable' (perfect logic) or 'voluntad implacable' (unstoppable will).
What's the difference between 'inclemente' and 'implacable'?
They are very similar! 'Inclemente' is almost always used for weather (like a storm), while 'implacable' can be used for weather, people, or abstract ideas like time or destiny.