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What is a good adjective for differences when they stand in the way of people continuing seeing each other?

in a sentence: "The differences are to '[adjective]' for them to continue to meet." or "Their '[adjective]' differences will cause them to grow apart."

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  • It really depends on what kind of differences you're talking about (cultural, economic, religious, philosophical, etc.). If you don't have any specific type of difference in mind the only truly "generic" adjectives would effectively be tautological (the differences are too different), but you could perhaps blur that point by focusing on magnitude/insurmountability rather than divisiveness (the differences are too great/extreme/deep-seated).
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 13:44
  • Depending on the context, it would sound more natural in most cases to start that sentence with "Their differences..."
    – Erik Kowal
    Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 14:49
  • Consider nounifying and using impasse: merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impasse It covers the situation you describe nicely.
    – Wayfaring Stranger
    Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 15:59

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"The differences are too profound for them to continue to meet", or "The differences are too stark for them to continue to meet", or "The differences are too pronounced for them to continue to meet", or "The differences are too great for them to continue to meet".

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    You could add 'glaring', and perhaps 'unbridgeable', to that list...
    – Erik Kowal
    Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 14:46
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The closest word for your meaning is divisive - a statement or belief that alienates people.

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  • Did you finish writing? The post ends with comma. It would also be improved if it quoted a source for the definition given.
    – user63230
    Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 12:06
  • Sorry. (Missed the period on the keyboard) The definition is my own, but I'm sure it would be similarly worded in most dictionaries.
    – Oldbag
    Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 12:22

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