the unthinkable

noun

: something that one cannot accept, believe, or imagine
especially : something that is so bad that one does not want to think about it
And then, the unthinkable happened: the car skidded out of control and crashed.

Examples of the unthinkable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
After six months, the family began considering the unthinkable: returning to Sudan. Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Oct. 2024 As the former beauty queen walked along the side of the dark road to her parents’ house, the unthinkable happened. Kc Baker, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024 Then, the unthinkable happens: the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic strikes. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024 On a trip to see him on his 39th birthday in 2005, the unthinkable happened. Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the unthinkable 

Dictionary Entries Near the unthinkable

Cite this Entry

“The unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20unthinkable. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!