adjective
inclement
in-KLEM-uhnt
Inclement (adjective) means Unpleasantly cold, wet or stormy, said of the weather. Example: “Play was abandoned because of inclement weather.”
adjective
1
Unpleasantly cold, wet or stormy, said of the weather.
"Play was abandoned because of inclement weather."
"The ferry does not run in inclement conditions."
2
formal Showing no mercy or mildness towards others.
"An inclement judge was the last thing the defence wanted."
How to use inclement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBad weather: cold, wet or stormy.
When to use it
Formal; standard in official notices about cancellations and closures.
Memory tip
Nearly all real use is the phrase inclement weather, so it is safest to keep it there.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
inclement weather
inclement conditions
due to inclement weather
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Play was abandoned because of _____ weather.
Etymology
From Latin inclemens, from in-, 'not', and clemens, 'mild' or 'merciful'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inclement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
amazement
See all rhymes for inclement →
Frequently asked questions
What does inclement weather mean?
It means weather severe enough to disrupt normal activity, typically heavy rain, snow, high winds or extreme cold. Organisations use the phrase in policies because it covers all of these without naming each one.
What is the opposite of inclement?
Clement, meaning mild and pleasant. It survives mostly in weather reports and in the related noun clemency, meaning mercy shown by a court or head of state.
Can inclement describe a person?
Yes, in formal writing it can mean harsh or unmerciful, reflecting the word's Latin root clemens. In modern English this use is rare, and readers will expect the weather sense unless the context is clearly about mercy.
What is the meaning of inclement?
"inclement" (adjective) means unpleasantly cold, wet or stormy, said of the weather.
