adjective

inexcusable

in-ik-SKYOO-zuh-bul/ˌɪnɪkˈskjuːzəbl/

Too wrong or careless to be justified or forgiven.

Deliberately breaking a neighbor's treasured pot in anger is inexcusable.

White adult deliberately breaks a neighbor's treasured pot in anger, clearly unjustifiable conduct.

Etymology

inLatinnot

+exLatinout, away

+cusLatinaccusation, legal action

+ableLatincapable of being

The underlying image is release from an accusation: to excuse people is to clear them of blame. Inexcusable denies that possibility, describing wrongdoing that cannot be justified or forgiven.

In context

DW Documentary17:58

To them, the Hindu value of tolerance was an inexcusable weakness which had for centuries allowed first the Mughal and then the British empires to enslave the Hindu majority.

Mahatma Gandhi – dying for freedom | DW Documentary

More examples

The report reveals inexcusable failures to follow basic safety rules.
Being tired does not make your inexcusable remarks acceptable.
An inexcusable delay left patients waiting months for treatment.

Forms

inexcusably adverb — In a way that cannot be justified.

Similar words

unjustifiable: Emphasizes the lack of any acceptable reason or defense.
unforgivable: Emphasizes wrongdoing too serious to pardon rather than justify.