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
In a game filled with numbers, statistical models and detailed projections, sometimes the unthinkable, the unfathomable, still happens.
—
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
The action thriller, which will publish by Little, Brown and Company in September, follows five members of a billionaire’s family, kidnapped at the same moment, from different locations—for the unthinkable ransom of a billion dollars.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Rebekka Card was nursing her 4-month-old son, Hayden, when the unthinkable happened.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 5 July 2025
That headline ran across a shocking image showing the unthinkable: the San Jacinto Monument, commemorating the battle that won the Texas Revolution, had collapsed.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the unthinkable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
The action thriller, which will publish by Little, Brown and Company in September, follows five members of a billionaire’s family, kidnapped at the same moment, from different locations—for the unthinkable ransom of a billion dollars.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Rebekka Card was nursing her 4-month-old son, Hayden, when the unthinkable happened.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 5 July 2025
That headline ran across a shocking image showing the unthinkable: the San Jacinto Monument, commemorating the battle that won the Texas Revolution, had collapsed.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 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 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share