inconceivable

adjective

in·​con·​ceiv·​able ˌin-kən-ˈsē-və-bəl How to pronounce inconceivable (audio)
: not conceivable: such as
a
: unbelievable
It's inconceivable they survived the crash.
b
: impossible to comprehend
… a work of inconceivable difficulty and labour …Mary W. Shelley
inconceivability noun
inconceivableness noun
inconceivably adverb

Examples of inconceivable in a Sentence

The fire caused an inconceivable amount of damage. After coming this far, to quit now would be inconceivable.
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.
Most movie stars of the time lived above the boulevard in the Hollywood Hills, and the first Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel (a venue that seems inconceivable today). Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025 If the sheer distance Albert travels is inconceivable to those of us with more earthbound callings, his on-air stats are equally mind-boggling. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025 But in evolution, something emerges that was inconceivable to the previous system. Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025 In the mid-’90s, broadcast networks dominated prime time with megahits like Seinfeld, ER, and The X-Files, whose viewership on Fox peaked at a now-inconceivable 20 million. Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inconceivable

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inconceivable was in 1624

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Cite this Entry

“Inconceivable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconceivable. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

inconceivable

adjective
in·​con·​ceiv·​able ˌin-kən-ˈsē-və-bəl How to pronounce inconceivable (audio)
: impossible to imagine or believe
inconceivably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on inconceivable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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