Ineffaceable (pronounced in-ef-uh-suh-bul) describes something that cannot be erased, blotted out, or forgotten. It signifies an indelible impression, a lasting impact, or a memory so deeply etched that it remains permanently fixed. This quality applies to physical marks, psychological scars, or abstract concepts like legacies and historical events. It conveys the enduring nature and profound influence of a subject or experience, highlighting its significance in shaping present realities. Synonyms for 'ineffaceable' include indelible, permanent, lasting, unforgettable, and enduring. Its antonyms include effaceable, erasable, forgettable, temporary, and fleeting.
Ineffaceable meaning with examples
- The Vietnam War left an Ineffaceable mark on the soldiers, the landscape, and the national psyche. Its impact remains evident in PTSD cases and public policies. The trauma experienced created deep, unyielding emotional scars. The effects of that war became something that could not be erased. Memories and wounds stayed, permanently affecting everyone touched by it.
- Her grandmother's stories about the Holocaust etched an Ineffaceable sense of responsibility within her. These accounts made the past a potent lesson. Each tale highlighted the devastation of bigotry and the necessity for compassion, making this awareness permanently set in her soul. They created an understanding that became indelible.
- The artist's brushstrokes created an Ineffaceable image on the canvas, a portrait that would endure. The colours and details permanently set, could not be changed, no matter what. The image’s power stayed with the onlookers and the artist. The painting captured a moment in time and created something eternal, unforgettable.
- The experience of witnessing the birth of her child left an Ineffaceable impression on the new mother. The joy, pain, and love were deeply set, creating a new person who could not be changed. Her heart and spirit were transformed. This life-altering event reshaped her identity, creating a lasting bond.
- The devastation of the 9/11 attacks resulted in an Ineffaceable collective trauma for Americans. The memories of that day will be felt by generations. The images of the destroyed towers, the planes, and those lost forever will remain. It changed American culture and the way the nation interacted with the world, becoming a permanent stain on its memory.