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unknowable

adjective

un·​know·​able ˌən-ˈnō-ə-bəl How to pronounce unknowable (audio)
: not knowable
especially : lying beyond the limits of human experience or understanding
unknowability noun

Examples of unknowable in a Sentence

a God whose nature is unknown and unknowable
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.
Sink isn’t completely unknowable, of course. Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 25 Nov. 2025 The second lesson here is that X appears to be inflating the culture wars in ultimately unknowable but certainly important ways. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025 Their power is drawn in part from acting unpredictably toward a future that has become inherently unknowable and is shaped through force. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025 The Internet couldn’t just be written by random people whose reliability is unknowable, alongside scientific papers beyond the comprehension of laypeople. Jimmy Wales, Time, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unknowable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unknowable was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unknowable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unknowable. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

unknowable

adjective
un·​know·​able ˌən-ˈnō-ə-bəl How to pronounce unknowable (audio)
ˈən-
: not knowable
some facts in the case may remain unknowable

More from Merriam-Webster on unknowable

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