onwrikbaar

Onwrikbaar is a Dutch adjective used to describe something that cannot be easily swayed, bent, or manipulated. In ordinary language it can refer to a person’s resolve, a decision, a policy, or an argument that resists contrary influence. In a more physical sense it can describe objects that are difficult to bend or twist, though this sense is less common in everyday usage and more often found in metaphorical or literary contexts.

The form is built from the prefix on- meaning “not” and wrikbaar, a word historically linked to the verb wrikken, meaning to twist, pry, or manipulate. The composite thus conveys the idea of being resistant to twisting or manipulation. In use, onwrikbaar emphasizes durability of stance or integrity of a position under pressure, rather than a mere absence of change.

Common contexts for onwrikbaar include political discourse, philosophy, business ethics, and journalism, where it is used to label positions, principles, or facts described as resilient to argument or pressure. The term can carry a strong normative undertone, signaling evaluative judgment about the desirability or legitimacy of resisting change. Its usage can be literal, referring to physical stiffness, or more often metaphorical, pointing to unwavering commitments, inviolable rules, or unyielding facts.

Related language and concepts in Dutch include terms such as onverzettelijk (uncompromising), onwankelbaar (unwavering), and onverzettelijk (steadfast). While onwrikbaar is understood in contemporary Dutch, it remains relatively specialized and is more common in formal or rhetorical writing than in everyday speech.

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