inexcusably
UK[ˌɪnɪkˈskjuːzəbli]US[ˌɪnɪkˈskjuːzəbli]
adv
In a manner that is too bad to be justified or tolerated.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
excus
ably
in
not
excus
to free from blame
ably
in a manner of
Etymology
The word 'inexcusably' is built upon the core concept of offering a reason or justification. Its journey begins with the Latin verb excusare, meaning "to free from blame", itself derived from ex- (out) and causa (cause, reason). The negative prefix in- (not) was added in Late Latin to form inexcusabilis, meaning "unable to be freed from blame". This passed into English via Old French, retaining the core logic of being without a valid reason. The modern adverb 'inexcusably' thus precisely conveys the idea of acting in a manner for which no satisfactory explanation or defense can possibly be provided.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + excus (to free from blame) + ably (in a manner of)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- excus: From Latin excusare, meaning "to free from blame, to excuse". The root 'caus' (cause, reason) is embedded within.
- ably: From Latin -abilis (able to be) via Old French -able and the adverbial suffix -ly, meaning "in a manner that can be".
Examples
The service was inexcusably slow for such an expensive restaurant.
He was inexcusably rude to his guests.
The report was delayed inexcusably, causing major problems for the project.