What does unappeasable mean?
Unappeasable is an adjective meaning impossible or extremely difficult to calm, placate, or satisfy. It is especially associated with anger, hunger, thirst, appetite, and demands that cannot be reconciled or softened. In “an unappeasable appetite,” the phrase suggests a need that no amount of food can adequately satisfy. In “an unappeasable enemy” or “an unappeasable dispute,” it describes a person or conflict that cannot be persuaded to yield, compromise, or become calm. The word is more forceful than dissatisfied and more absolute than difficult to appease, so it is usually best suited to formal writing, journalism, and literary contexts. Its prefix un- and the older verb appease give it a strong sense of resistance to reconciliation. The term can be used for both physical needs and figurative emotional or political conditions.
adjectiveImpossible or very difficult to appease, calm, or satisfy. It is used especially of anger, hunger, thirst, appetite, or demands that cannot be assuaged.
- Impossible or very difficult to calm, placate, or satisfy, especially when referring to anger, hunger, thirst, appetite, or an uncompromising demand.
"The opposition faced an unappeasable demand for a complete withdrawal."
"By midnight, the hikers were suffering from unappeasable thirst."
"The minister could not resolve the dispute, and the two sides remained unappeasable."
Some hungers can be satisfied; an unappeasable hunger keeps making demands no amount of food—or negotiation—can truly quiet.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unappeasable come from?
Unappeasable was formed in English by adding the prefix un- to appease, meaning “to calm, satisfy, or make peace.” Appease comes through Anglo-French from Latin pacificare, “to make peaceful,” which is related to pacificus, “peaceful,” and ultimately to Latin pax, “peace.” The English prefix un- comes from Latin and commonly expresses negation or opposition.
Related word forms
How unappeasable is actually used
This is a formal and often literary word. It is usually figurative and conveys a stronger, more persistent sense than words such as dissatisfied or unsatisfied.
Easily confused with unappeasable
Appeasable describes someone or something that can be calmed or satisfied, whereas unappeasable means that this is impossible or extremely difficult.