im-PLAK-uh-buhl
(adjective) Unable to be appeased, calmed, or satisfied.
Despite their apologies, she remained implacable in her anger.
Fun Fact
From Latin placare (“to calm or soothe”), “implacable” describes someone whose anger or opposition can’t be softened—often used for enemies, grief, or moral determination. In literature and politics, implacable forces resist persuasion or negotiation.
kuh-PRISH-us
(adjective) Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; unpredictable and impulsive.
The capricious weather ruined their beach plans when sunny skies suddenly turned to thunderstorms.
Early 17th century: from French “capricieux,” from Italian “capriccioso,” from “capriccio” meaning “sudden change of mind,” literally “head with hair standing on end” (suggesting fright), from “capo” (head) + “riccio” (hedgehog).
Fun Fact
Capricious shares its root with “caprice” and originally connected to goats through “Capricorn”—the idea being that goats leap unpredictably from rock to rock, much like capricious behavior jumps from one whim to another. The hedgehog etymology suggests hair standing on end from sudden fright, capturing that startled, impulsive quality. Fashion gets called capricious when trends change inexplicably. Ancient peoples attributed capricious behavior to the gods, whose moods seemed to shift without warning. Unlike “fickle,” which implies shallow changeability, capricious can describe weather, fate, or fortune—impersonal forces that shift without regard to logic. The stock market behaves capriciously, as do certain creative geniuses whose inspiration arrives and departs mysteriously.
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