unthinkable

adjective

un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce unthinkable (audio)
1
: not capable of being grasped by the mind
2
: being contrary to what is reasonable, desirable, or probable : being out of the question
unthinkability noun
unthinkably adverb

Examples of unthinkable in a Sentence

to most people it seemed unthinkable that such a gentle man could be guilty of such awful crimes
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.
The traditional approach to flooding in Vermont, which is to put the river and the road back in place and hope that the problem doesn’t return, was unthinkable in Plainfield. John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 July 2025 Guided by a resolve never to judge anyone else and a firm belief in second chances, legendary Chiefs coach Andy Reid has leaned on family bonds to sustain him through the highs of victory and the lows of unthinkable tragedy. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2025 Somedays, the aged bourbon stays on shelves all day, which would have been unthinkable just two years ago. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 15 July 2025 For Jones, creating an entire new body of work for a gallery show, when a single painting takes her three months, is unthinkable. Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unthinkable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unthinkable. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

unthinkable

adjective
un·​think·​able ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce unthinkable (audio)
ˈən-
: not to be thought of or considered as possible
unthinkable cruelty

More from Merriam-Webster on unthinkable

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