unthinkable

adjective

un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce unthinkable (audio)
Synonyms of unthinkablenext
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
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But when she's laid off from her newspaper job, Andy returns to Runway as a features editor and helps the magazine land a once-unthinkable exclusive interview. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 The encounter between Christianity’s two most famous religious figures would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, given the divisions between their two churches over women’s ordination in general and Mullally's appointment in particular. ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026 To question or go against the grain of their household’s dynamic is unthinkable to her; thus, her frustrations are exacted upon her daughter for challenging these dynamics by merely existing as a teen girl. Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026 The strike reveals how Russia’s invasion has made once-unthinkable nuclear security threats a reality. Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 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 6 May. 2026.

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

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