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Meaning & use

inclement

adjective·Academicformal

Last updated

UK/ɪnˈklem.ənt/
US/ɪnˈklem.ənt/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a noun

    Used of weather that is harsh and unpleasant, such as when it is stormy, freezing or heavily rainy.

    Grammar: Usually comes before the noun it describes: inclement weather, not the weather is inclement.

    Patterns

    • inclement weather
    • in inclement conditions

    The picnic was moved indoors because of inclement weather.

    Ferries stopped running during the inclement conditions of the weekend.

    In case of inclement weather, the parade will take place next Saturday.

  2. adjectivecomparableliteraryrare

    Showing little mercy or kindness; harsh in manner or judgment.

    Grammar: Rare and literary; can follow a linking verb: the judge was inclement.

    The old general was inclement toward any soldier who disobeyed.

    They braced for an inclement verdict from the committee.

Common combinations

inclement weather
Flights were delayed by inclement weather over the mountains.
inclement conditions
Crews worked through the inclement conditions to repair the power lines.
in the event of inclement weather
In the event of inclement weather, the match will be rescheduled.
inclement winter
After an inclement winter, the farmers hoped for a gentler spring.
inclement season
The coast is quiet during the inclement season.

Synonyms and how they differ

stormy
Stormy is plainer and everyday, and suggests actual storms, while inclement is a formal word covering any bad weather.
foul
Foul is informal and blunt, whereas inclement sounds like an official notice.
harsh
Harsh is broader and can describe people, words or climates, while inclement is almost always about weather.
severe
Severe implies danger and intensity, but inclement can mean merely unpleasant rain or cold.

Opposites

fairclement

Word family

inclemency noun
harshness, especially of weather
clement adjective
mild and pleasant, used of weather
clemency noun
mercy shown in punishing someone

Commonly confused: inclement or unclement?

inclement vs unclement

Unclement is not a standard word; use inclement.

Practice

The school sent a notice saying that outdoor sports would be canceled in ___ weather.

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