Meaning & use
irreconcilable conflict
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Meanings
phrasecountableformal
A disagreement between people or groups that is so deep it cannot be settled or made to agree.
Grammar: Used as a countable noun phrase: an irreconcilable conflict, irreconcilable conflicts.
Patterns
- an irreconcilable conflict between someone and someone
- an irreconcilable conflict over something
- be in irreconcilable conflict with something
The two parties were locked in an irreconcilable conflict over land rights.
Their views on the budget were in irreconcilable conflict, so the talks ended without a deal.
The report describes an irreconcilable conflict between the aims of economic growth and environmental protection.
phrasecountableformal
A situation in which two ideas, needs, or principles cannot both be true or both be satisfied at the same time.
Grammar: Often used with 'between': an irreconcilable conflict between two principles.
Patterns
- an irreconcilable conflict between something and something
- put something in irreconcilable conflict with something
There is an irreconcilable conflict between the promise of total privacy and the need for public safety.
The court found an irreconcilable conflict between the two clauses of the contract.
Word forms
| plural | irreconcilable conflicts |
|---|
Common combinations
- be in irreconcilable conflict
- The two accounts of the event are in irreconcilable conflict.
- an irreconcilable conflict between
- She saw an irreconcilable conflict between her duty and her conscience.
- an irreconcilable conflict over
- The strike grew out of an irreconcilable conflict over pay and hours.
- lead to irreconcilable conflict
- Ignoring the problem for years led to an irreconcilable conflict.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fundamental disagreement
- This is a more general phrase; it can describe a strong disagreement that might still be resolved, unlike an irreconcilable conflict.
- deadlock
- Deadlock means talks have stopped because neither side will move; it focuses on the process, not on the deep difference itself.
- clash
- Clash is shorter and less formal; it often suggests a brief, sharp disagreement rather than a permanent one.
Opposites
Word family
- irreconcilable adjective
- Unable to be made to agree or fit together.
- irreconcilably adverb
- In a way that cannot be made to agree.
- reconcile verb
- To make people or ideas agree after a disagreement.
- reconciliation noun
- The act of becoming friendly again after a disagreement.
Commonly confused: irreconcilable conflict or irreconcilable differences?
irreconcilable conflict vs irreconcilable differences
This is a legal phrase used in divorce cases; it means the couple cannot agree on basic matters. It is not used for political conflicts.
Practice
The two sides were in ______ conflict, so no agreement was possible.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'irreconcilable' is needed before the noun 'conflict'. 'Irreconcilably' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun; 'irreconciled' is not a standard word in this phrase; 'reconciling' means trying to make peace, which is the opposite of the meaning here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “irreconcilable conflict”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.