incorrigible

adjective in·cor·ri·gi·ble \(ˌ)in-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl, -ˈkär-\

: not able to be corrected or changed

Full Definition of INCORRIGIBLE

: incapable of being corrected or amended: as

a (1) : not reformable : depraved (2) : delinquent

b : not manageable : unruly

— in·cor·ri·gi·bil·i·ty \-ˌkȯr-ə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌkär-\ noun

— incorrigible noun

— in·cor·ri·gi·ble·ness \-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl-nəs, -ˈkär-\ noun

— in·cor·ri·gi·bly \-blē\ adverb

See incorrigible defined for English-language learners

See incorrigible defined for kids

The incorrigible maleness of men is a standing rebuke to the Rousseau-inspired notions of human moral plasticity that are central to liberalism. —Richard Lowry, National Review, 3 July 2000
At the heart of Roosevelt's style in foreign affairs was a certain incorrigible amateurism. His off-the-cuff improvisations, his airy tendency to throw out half-baked ideas, caused others to underrate his continuity of purpose … —Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., American Heritage, May/June 1994
Eating fugu … is an exotic custom that probably would appeal to every incorrigible mountain climber, skydiver and bungee-jumper in America. Why? The fugu is poisonous—and there's no antidote. —Max Friedman, Vegetarian Times, October 1993
Yes, this is a book about America … all seen through the fairy-book life of an incorrigible kid, abandoned by his parents and brought up in a reformatory … —Stephen Jay Gould, New York Times Book Review, 7 May 1989
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