unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl How to pronounce unspeakable (audio)
1
a
: incapable of being expressed in words : unutterable
b
: inexpressibly bad : horrendous
unspeakable living conditions
unspeakable evil
2
: that may not or cannot be spoken
the bawdy thoughts that come into one's head—the unspeakable wordsL. P. Smith
unspeakable collections of consonantsRosemary Jellis
unspeakably adverb

Examples of unspeakable in a Sentence

the unspeakable horror of war continually encountered unspeakable beauty in their travels through the Alps
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.
The unspeakable war in Europe, not yet known as World War I, was in its sixth month and had introduced miserable trench warfare to the lexicon. Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025 But the 28-minute short offers a few jarring moments — especially the sequence in which a poacher suddenly whips out a chainsaw, using it to do the unspeakable. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025 The unspoken, the unspeakable, is more frightening than anything else in the novel. Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025 The Holocaust was an episode of unspeakable horror, enacted by a regime of evil men. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unspeakable

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unspeakable was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unspeakable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unspeakable. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

unspeakable

adjective
un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl How to pronounce unspeakable (audio)
ˈən-
1
: impossible to express in words
unspeakable beauty of the sunset
2
: extremely bad
unspeakable conduct
unspeakably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unspeakable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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