inconceivable

adjective

in·​con·​ceiv·​able ˌin-kən-ˈsē-və-bəl How to pronounce inconceivable (audio)
: not conceivable: such as
b
: impossible to comprehend
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 The justices gave Donald Trump a degree of deference that was inconceivable for Richard M. Nixon a half-century ago – and one that no one on any side of Nixon’s legal battles even imagined. Jeffrey Toobin, Washington Post, 3 July 2024 Such an accomplishment would be inconceivable today because of status quo attitudes in most of the services, congressional dysfunction that makes budgeting and planning difficult, and a lack of vision on the part of the secretaries of the armed forces. Robert C. O’Brien, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 The distinctive attributes our founding documents attribute to human beings — reason, free will, and moral choice — would be inconceivable in the absence of a Judeo-Christian worldview. Janice Rogers Brown, National Review, 22 June 2024 Just a few months ago, marching joyfully in a Pride parade — no matter how short the distance — would have seemed inconceivable to Volia. Kostiantyn Khudov, Washington Post, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for inconceivable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inconceivable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inconceivable was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near inconceivable

Cite this Entry

“Inconceivable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconceivable. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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

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