unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being expressed in words : unutterable

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

• 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

Critics tend to argue that the atomic bombs were unnecessary, inflicting unspeakable devastation on cities filled with civilians against an enemy that was already defeated and soon going to surrender. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2025

Next up is Jesse, who is once again failing at trying to convince us that Michelle did something unspeakable to him. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025

Too bad it’s taken the unspeakable suffering of babies, families and innocents to get us here. —Lorraine Ali, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025

The comedy takes place decades after the original, after Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) experiences an unspeakable tragedy. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 July 2025

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