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 Mets were sellers from the cellar of the National League East at this year’s trade deadline, a once-inconceivable turn of events whose inevitability eroded its surprise. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The major innovation of pocket books became the big selling point of Casa Editorial Maucci, which saw its products sell at an inconceivable rate, spreading like wildfire. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 Conspiracy theorists have proposed many different (though mostly superstitious and inconceivable) reasons why disappearances and disasters occur in the Bermuda Triangle. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026 And the power play was 17th in the NHL, which seems inconceivable for a team with as much offensive firepower as Tampa Bay. — Scott Turick, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 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
  • In finishing 27 for 30 for 401 yards, Mensah went an incredible 12 for 14 on passes thrown 10 yards or more.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The best form of flattery is imitation, and Robert Pattinson does an incredible impression of Chris Hansen for A24’s new movie, Primetime.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • When a boater posted footage of the new island on social media, incredulous officials thought the video was AI-generated, according to the New York Times.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • The rationale being that Frank Lampard got his tactics spot on at the Etihad and on another day – a day when Coventry were more decisive in front of goal – their head coach would have been celebrating an unlikely result.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Chris Douglas, a professor of economics at the University of Michigan-Flint, called it unlikely that stick prices will go up 50% across the board, noting Canada's modest market share, but wonders what will happen if demand increases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • Underwood wasn’t Michigan’s only problem, but his struggles were impossible to ignore.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In a community where trust in the immigration system and other authorities had eroded, Ortega became someone who had been through the same fear and knew how to navigate a system that many families found impossible to understand.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • Back in the early spring, the idea of subtracting a durable 33-game starter (and a former second-round pick) from a defensive line that seemed to be an area of major concern for the Bears would have been unthinkable.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Those women were just called monsters, they were called evil, they were called unthinkable.
    — Jaha Nailah Avery, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of unthinkable
Adjective
  • Through unimaginable hardship, Dave’s determination to survive and his hope for a better life become a testament to resilience and the human spirit.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Family secrets come along with her to her temporary home, as the family struggles with unimaginable grief.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unimaginable
Adjective
  • Hill poured the putt in with ease and felt the embrace as the GB&I team completed a shocking, unbelievable comeback to win the Walker Cup.
    — Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The Michigan Wolverines were beaten – and some would say literally – by Western Michigan on Saturday before one of the more unbelievable scenes in the sport's history unfolded.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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