inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl How to pronounce inexplicable (audio) (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli- How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
an inexplicable disappearance
inexplicability
ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-
noun
inexplicableness
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
noun
inexplicably
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
adverb

Examples of inexplicable in a Sentence

He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents. an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning
Recent Examples on the Web Share [Findings] Half of Algeria’s marine turtle strandings are inexplicable. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 His wife, Crystal Lynn, provided an update on Facebook this afternoon, sharing that despite previous reports that the surgery was unsuccessful, the inexplicable had happened. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2024 After sleeping on it, Jordan Love's last throw was still inexplicable. Emmett Prosser, Journal Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2024 The inexplicable appearance from Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker was more of a surprise. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 Not getting a single Spanish-language performance in such a massive year for Latin pop, reggaetón and música Mexicana was inexplicable, and the awards’ continuing lack of interest in (non-BTS) K-pop also remains disappointing. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2024 But having your main character mimic fight moves rather than rely on vague, inexplicable magical powers has much more dramatic potential. David Zimmermann, National Review, 27 Jan. 2024 The inexplicable allure of Stanley cups has led people to go to extreme lengths to collect them. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 But what on the surface appears to be a strange, inexplicable mania over one specific cup is actually just a peak of what has been a longer trend. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 19 Jan. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inexplicabilis, from in- + explicabilis explicable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inexplicable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inexplicable

Cite this Entry

“Inexplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexplicable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inexplicable

adjective
in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈsplik-ə-bəl How to pronounce inexplicable (audio) (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)splik- How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
: impossible to explain
an inexplicable mystery
inexplicability
ˌin-ik-ˌsplik-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)in-ˌek-(ˌ)splik-
noun
inexplicably adverb

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