inexplicable

adjective

in·ex·pli·ca·ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

Synonyms of inexplicable next

: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for

an inexplicable disappearance

inexplicability

ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē

(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-

noun

inexplicableness

ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

noun

inexplicably

ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

adverb

Example Sentences

He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents. an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning

Recent Examples on the Web The inexplicable writing choices, written by people who seem to have almost no grasp on how actual human beings behave. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 My partner, for some inexplicable reason, does not love Paro. —

IEEE Spectrum, 13 Feb. 2023 But, unlike this gambit, which can feel inexplicable—Why mashed potatoes? —

Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2022 Some of it is inexplicable: what deal with the devil did Pinterest make to get its largely useless results ranked so high? —

Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 12 May 2023 Here was a creature that would choose its own inexplicable way. —

Hanya Yanagihara Kyoko Hamada, New York Times, 10 May 2023 Aaron also reviewed the sounds that specific blends of letters make —the oooh or uhh that oo can make, whether in cool or in book, for example, or the inexplicable silence of some consonants, like the gh in high. —

oregonlive, 26 Mar. 2023 The film explores the inexplicable love between a man and a woman with no memory of the past. —

Patrick Frater, Variety, 7 Feb. 2023 Even more Daleks for some inexplicable reason!—has made what should be an infinite canvas feel particularly static and smotheringly small. —

WIRED, 24 Oct. 2022 See More

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.