unmentionable

adjective

un·men·tion·able | \ ˌən-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nə-bəl

Definition of unmentionable

(Entry 1 of 2)

: not fit or allowed to be mentioned or discussed : unspeakable an unmentionable topic

unmentionable

noun

Definition of unmentionable (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that is not to be mentioned or discussed: such as

a unmentionables\ ˌən-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nə-bəlz

\ plural : pants sense 1

b unmentionables plural : underwear

Examples of unmentionable in a Sentence

Adjective

There are certain topics that are considered to be unmentionable.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Under Trump, climate change and global warming have become almost unmentionable, even to the point of denial, and Pompeo used neither term in his speech. — Neil Shea, National Geographic, "Scenes from the new Cold War unfolding at the top of the world," 8 May 2019 That the rest of pop—not to mention the rest of hip-hop—remains of an unmentionable tier, except maybe for Bob Dylan, who won a special citation from the Pulitzers in 2008. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Kendrick Lamar and the Shell Game of 'Respect'," 17 Apr. 2018 Everything was unmentionable but nothing was unimaginable. — Ethan Varian, Los Angeles Magazine, "Joan Didion’s Famous Former Hollywood House Is Now a New-Age Spiritual Retreat," 28 Mar. 2018 As swearing functions as a complex signal, subtle enough either to amuse or to offend, these words vary according to what a culture deems unmentionable. — The Economist, "Foul playThe power of profane language," 25 Jan. 2018 Since launching his bid for Virginia governor, the establishment Republican has treated the man in the White House like a Voldemortian unmentionable. — Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, "Gillespie shifts from avoiding Trump to dropping the president’s name," 20 July 2017 Like that other unmentionable, death, money has, over the past generation, been increasingly sanitized and technologized, abstracted from the complex and often messy realities of interpersonal relationships. — Daniel Mendelsohn, Town & Country, "How Notorious White-Collar Criminals Use Their Friends and Social Connections," 4 Nov. 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

These three apartments offer renters the coveted ability to wash their unmentionables without scrounging for quarters or passive-aggressively trading notes about neighbors in a communal laundry room. — Shannon Rooney, Philly.com, "Three Philly apartments under $2,500 a month - with coveted private laundry," 11 July 2018 Perfect sized to hide unsightly rolls of toilet paper or any other unmentionables. — The Editors At House Beautiful, House Beautiful, "Product of the Day: Bathroom Storage Basket," 18 Nov. 2013 Watch for all the celeb appearances, stay for Kendall’s NSFW cameo, featuring her rapping about her unmentionables, at the end. — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE.com, "Every Single KarJenner Music Video Cameo to Make Your Day That Much Brighter," 15 Mar. 2018 This novel presentation unveils myths about women's unmentionables. — Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar," 16 Jan. 2018 Made in the shade Stave off wrinkles and other unmentionables by taking a break from the sun and getting a spray-tan instead. — Kai Oliver-kurtin, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Forget June gloom, go for June glam," 2 June 2017 Now there are unmentionables for all occasions: sleeping, daily wear, the gym and more. — By Bailey Shiffler Larson, star-telegram.com, "Men’s underwear subscription services are for guys who hate to shop," 7 June 2017 Made in the shade Stave off wrinkles and other unmentionables by taking a break from the sun and getting a spray-tan instead. — Kai Oliver-kurtin, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Forget June gloom, go for June glam," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unmentionable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.