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.
This haunting realization lingers not only with Jake but the audience in a way that would have been unthinkable in a Hollywood movie of 1945. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025 The Trojans opened as 13-point underdogs to UConn, a number that would’ve seemed unthinkable just nine days ago. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025 Policies are on the table that would have been unthinkable just weeks ago. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 The idea that members of the newsroom would confront an executive editor on a news decision would have been unthinkable in an earlier era. Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 28 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 13 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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