unthinkable

adjective

un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl 

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

ˌən-ˌthiŋ-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unthinkably

ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• fantastic
• fantastical
• implausible
• inconceivable
• incredible
• incredulous
• unbelievable
• uncompelling
• unconceivable
• unconvincing
• unimaginable

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

Barak Ravid 2 hours ago - World How Oct. 7 changed everything The Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks unleashed a year of unthinkable violence in Israel, Gaza and across the Middle East. —Tina Reed, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024

The Biden administration's support for drastic limits on asylum reflect a broader rightward shift on border policy by Democrats that would have been unthinkable in 2020, when the party faced pressure to reverse the Trump administration's hardline immigration rules. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2024

My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced unthinkable loss. —NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024

The women's choices divide them, but both face moral dilemmas and must make unthinkable sacrifices. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unthinkable

• the unthinkable

Kids Definition

unthinkable

adjective

un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl 

ˈən-

: not to be thought of or considered as possible

unthinkable cruelty