the unthinkable
noun
: something that one cannot accept, believe, or imagine
especially
: something that is so bad that one does not want to think about it
And then, the unthinkable happened: the car skidded out of control and crashed.
Examples of the unthinkable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the unthinkable happens—an accident or other serious incident that results in injuries or loss of life—the world watches to see what a leader will do.
—
Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
California Democrats are now pondering the unthinkable.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
In 2013, Amy Cohen experienced the unthinkable for a parent.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
Incredibly, this casual nod toward the unthinkable—a nuclear war—represents a de-escalation for Putin.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the unthinkable
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Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
California Democrats are now pondering the unthinkable.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
In 2013, Amy Cohen experienced the unthinkable for a parent.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
Incredibly, this casual nod toward the unthinkable—a nuclear war—represents a de-escalation for Putin.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the unthinkable
Cite this Entry
“The unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20unthinkable. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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