unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being expressed in words : unutterable

… each heaved a sigh of unspeakable relief.

—Frank Norris

b

: inexpressibly bad : horrendous

unspeakable living conditions

unspeakable evil

2

: that may not or cannot be spoken

… the bawdy thoughts that come into one's head—the unspeakable words …

—L. P. Smith

unspeakable collections of consonants

—Rosemary Jellis

unspeakably

ˌən-ˈspē-kə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of unspeakable

• incredible
• indescribable
• unutterable
• ineffable
• inexpressible
• incommunicable
• indefinable

Examples of unspeakable in a Sentence

the unspeakable horror of war

continually encountered unspeakable beauty in their travels through the Alps

Recent Examples on the Web

When once-unspeakable truths break through and are finally said aloud, that is a win. —Marcus Anthony Hunter, Time, 19 June 2026

The prosecution claims David did this unspeakable crime while in the grips of a night terror, and his friends and family seemingly believe that story. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 18 June 2026

This is a story devoid of childlike wonder, just the horrific evil men are capable of and the small acts of grace found in unspeakable circumstances. —Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026

In any case, as Rodrigo surely knows, music is precisely the medium with which to convey unspeakable feelings. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl 

ˈən-

1

: impossible to express in words

unspeakable beauty of the sunset

2

: extremely bad

unspeakable conduct

unspeakably

-blē 

adverb