unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being expressed in words : unutterable

… each heaved a sigh of unspeakable relief.

—Frank Norris

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 words …

—L. P. Smith

unspeakable collections of consonants

—Rosemary Jellis

unspeakably

ˌən-ˈspē-kə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of unspeakable

• incredible
• indescribable
• unutterable
• ineffable
• inexpressible
• incommunicable
• indefinable

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

When once-unspeakable truths break through and are finally said aloud, that is a win. — Marcus Anthony Hunter, Time, 19 June 2026

What happens when the unspeakable happens? — The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

Three hundred pages of unspeakable horror. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026

Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl 

ˈən-

1

: impossible to express in words

unspeakable beauty of the sunset

2

: extremely bad

unspeakable conduct

unspeakably

-blē 

adverb