inconceivable

adjective

ˌin-kən-ˈsē-və-bəl How to pronounce inconceivable (audio)
Definition of inconceivablenext
as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe the formerly inconceivable idea that humans could land on the moon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inconceivable The psycho fanatics have a microphone now, which was inconceivable 20 years ago. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026 When Emmanuel Macron revived the idea, in 2018, a curator at the Bayeux Museum insisted that moving the frankly archeological textile was, conservationally speaking, inconceivable. — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026 Beyond the inconceivable mishap, the Huskers looked reactive and a step slow on defense for the entire first quarter. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 There are plenty of inconceivable exploits in the final season of Outer Banks, in ranging degrees of ridiculousness. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inconceivable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inconceivable
  1. incredible
  2. incredulous
  3. unlikely
  4. impossible
  5. unthinkable
  6. unimaginable
  7. unbelievable
Adjective
  • More than the incredible sights, what surprised him most about his visit to the Washington state national park was that little noise penetrated from beyond the verdant canopies.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Siân Heder’s Being Heumann takes us to San Francisco and the incredible true story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann.
    — The Deadline Team, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Cam asked her, incredulous that his talkative fiancée had nothing to say.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Some congressional Democrats were incredulous, saying the email might simply have been deleted and that the firm’s analysis did not explain why or how someone might have manufactured the message.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • However, when the confetti cleared from the avenues of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin had a governor-elect even more unlikely than the Hometown Nine hefting the Commissioner’s Trophy in this dawning age of the accidental candidate.
    — John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Blanket deployments, issued without clear communication or direction, are unlikely to be successful.
    — S. Sorrina Beecher, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • Reaves hit a seemingly impossible baseline fadeaway in the first quarter, flinging the ball almost over the backboard.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Requests for food increased 80% Several families the Courant spoke to in the state said that the myriad of rising costs are impossible to absorb and stress levels are also climbing, as some take on second jobs to make ends meet.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • The start — Manchester United’s worst since 1986 — is unthinkable for one of the world’s richest and most popular clubs.
    — Zahin Das, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026
  • That brought closer to reality the once-unthinkable notion that the ANC that led South Africa out of the white minority rule of apartheid and delivered freedom in 1994 under Mandela might one day not be its biggest party.
    — Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of unthinkable
Adjective
  • Bass ran when a Black woman entering the White House seemed almost unimaginable.
    — Allissa V. Richardson, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Thank you to the trauma physicians and surgeons who care for unimaginable injuries, each a devastating story.
    — Robert M. Kinast, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unimaginable
Adjective
  • In this election, there were just unbelievable amounts of money being thrown at candidates, at messages, at opposition research.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2026
  • The support and popularity of doing this, and bringing Entertainment back to the United States of America, has been unbelievable!
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of unbelievable

Browse Nearby Words

incomputable
inconceivable
inconceivably
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Cite this Entry

“Inconceivable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inconceivable. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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