Definition

Noun: 1. Severity or harshness, especially of weather: The quality or state of being stormy, rainy, snowy, or otherwise unpleasant and severe. 2. Excessive sternness or harshness of character or treatment: The quality of being unmerciful, severe, or rigorous in manner or judgment.

Examples of Usage

• Referring to weather:
  • The expedition was delayed due to the inclemency of the winter storms.
  • Despite the inclemency of the day, they decided to proceed with their hike.
• Referring to character or treatment:
  • The judge was known for the inclemency of his sentences.
  • The inclemency of the old regime is well documented in historical records.

Advanced Usage

• The word is formal and often used in written contexts, particularly in literature, historical accounts, or descriptive prose.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical harshness, such as economic conditions or social policies.
  • The inclemency of the market forced many businesses to close.

Variants and Related Words

• Inclement (adjective): Describing harsh or severe weather, or a harsh manner.
  • They postponed the picnic because of inclement weather.
  • He received an inclement response from the committee.
• Inclementness (noun): A less common synonym for inclemency.

Synonyms

• For weather: Severity, harshness, storminess, foulness, bitterness.
• For character/treatment: Severity, harshness, sternness, rigor, hardness, austerity.

Antonyms

• For weather: Clemency, mildness, fairness, pleasantness.
• For character/treatment: Clemency, leniency, mercy, mildness, gentleness.

Noun

1. excessive sternness
   • severity of character
   • the harshness of his punishment was inhuman
   • the rigors of boot camp
2. weather unsuitable for outdoor activities