unthinkable

adjective

un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce unthinkable (audio)
1
: not capable of being grasped by the mind
2
: being contrary to what is reasonable, desirable, or probable : being out of the question
unthinkability noun
unthinkably adverb

Examples of unthinkable in a Sentence

to most people it seemed unthinkable that such a gentle man could be guilty of such awful crimes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DeChambeau cut McIlroy's lead to just two after 54 holes, which seemed unthinkable with just a few holes to go. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 Some Mavericks fans have chosen to don purple and gold Los Angeles Lakers gear inside American Airlines Center, an act that would have been unthinkable before Feb. 1. Christian Clark, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Now, scientists agree that not launching Kepler would have been unthinkable to the progress of space science. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 Although Ritchey can’t articulate her own experience, Earnshaw is nonetheless able to illustrate what could have led her to such an unthinkable decision. Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unthinkable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unthinkable was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unthinkable. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

unthinkable

adjective
un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce unthinkable (audio)
ˈən-
: not to be thought of or considered as possible
unthinkable cruelty

More from Merriam-Webster on unthinkable

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