inclement

Inclement is an English adjective meaning severe or harsh, especially regarding weather or climate, but it can also describe any harsh, unforgiving conditions or behavior. When applied to weather, inclement conditions typically include precipitation, wind, and cold, such as storms, heavy rain, snow, or freezing temperatures that disrupt outdoor plans or travel. In a broader sense, it can describe environments that are harsh or unpleasant.

The word originates from Middle English, borrowed from Old French, ultimately from Latin inclementus meaning not mild. It is formed from the prefix in- "not" and clemens "mild." The form entered English in the late medieval period and has remained common in modern usage.

In usage, inclement is most often paired with weather or climate, as in inclement weather, inclement conditions, or inclement seasons. The term is almost always descriptive rather than evaluative; it conveys severity without expressing blame. A related noun is inclemency, denoting harshness or severity, typically of weather or climate, and occasionally of atmosphere or treatment.

See also weather terminology; related concepts include severe weather, climate, and the adjective clement, which serves as the semantic opposite of inclement.