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 That seems almost inconceivable considering the success of the Sabrina Ionescu era when Kelly Graves was a three-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 The facts on the ground—a vast and ever-growing Israeli security and road infrastructure designed to connect and protect Jewish settlements across the West Bank, combined with the near-complete destruction of Gaza—make a viable Palestinian state almost inconceivable. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 But even the lowest estimates would have been inconceivable in the giddy aftermath of Neil Armstrong’s one small step. Bill Weir, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 As for where the satellite might impact over the planet, its path according to Aerospace takes it over much of Earth’s surface at one moment or another, meaning no regions are really inconceivable. Eric MacK, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Over the course of the twentieth century, as child mortality rates plummeted in much of the world, the loss of a child receded, for many people, from a seemingly unavoidable tragedy to an event practically inconceivable in its horror. Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 15 Feb. 2024 Her death was permanent, an inconceivable notion when video games were known for giving characters extra lives. Zachary Small, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 The scenario was inconceivable just five weeks ago. Dan Gelston, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 Without that deleterious influence, phony bipartisanship would seem inconceivable. Armond White, National Review, 7 Feb. 2024

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 18 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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