unaccountable

adjective

un·​ac·​count·​able ˌən-ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl How to pronounce unaccountable (audio)
Synonyms of unaccountablenext
1
: not to be accounted for : inexplicable, strange
2
: not to be called to account : not responsible
unaccountability noun

Examples of unaccountable in a Sentence

She has shown an unaccountable reluctance to accept their offer. the decorator's client has an unaccountable dislike for that color
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Back in the late 1700s, with the demands of a tyrannical and unaccountable king at the front of their minds, the founders built a tariff order aimed at maintaining democratic legitimacy and preventing the concentration of power in a single individual’s hands. Kent Jones, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2026 But in recent filings to state officials, fire victims and consumer advocates say the law has gone too far and made the utilities’ unaccountable for their mistakes, leading to even more fires. Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Rockefeller Capital Management wrote a few years ago that the problem isn’t a central bank shrouded in mystery and unaccountable to political leaders, but too much transparency. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026 While our current board is a bit better about this, for most of the last four years, the majority on our school board has been unaccountable and unavailable to the public. Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unaccountable

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unaccountable was in 1643

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unaccountable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unaccountable. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unaccountable

adjective
un·​ac·​count·​able ˌən-ə-ˈkau̇nt-ə-bəl How to pronounce unaccountable (audio)
1
2
: not to be called to account : not responsible
unaccountably
-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unaccountable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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