UNINTELLIGIBLE Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

unintelligible

adjective

ˌən-in-ˈte-lə-jə-bəl

Definition of unintelligible

as in incomprehensible

impossible to understand uttered only a string of unintelligible murmurs

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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 unintelligible The man responded, but his words are unintelligible in the recording. — Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026 In a video from Reuters, Charles appeared to laugh off Stewart's comment and said something unintelligible before turning to shake hands with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who also got a chuckle out of the exchange. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 May 2026 When infrastructure becomes an on-demand API, spending becomes increasingly unintelligible as multi-cloud adoption further fractures visibility of costs and governance. — Anuj Gupta, Forbes.com, 24 Mar. 2026 Instead, first-time director Fergus Campbell drops us directly into Cleo’s world — no parents, no rules and every authority figure is obscured, like the unintelligible adults in Peanuts cartoons. — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintelligible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintelligible

Adjective

But when asked to convey human-woman concerns, like a shitty dad, a shitty husband, and a shitty mother-in-law, that intense gaze can become inscrutable, even incomprehensible — a closed door to her interiority instead of a way in.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026
There have been times when acts of atrocity have been going on — and gosh, some of those things are incomprehensible — yet humanity has found a way.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026

Definition of incomprehensible

Adjective

While differences in election laws can get confusing, election security experts say this structure is a strength.

— Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
The new protocols for the best international film category, née best foreign language film, are the latest rejiggering in what has historically been one of the more contentious and confusing Oscar categories.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026

Definition of confusing

Adjective

Those digital Mellotrons balanced against Wilson’s dry 2000s alt-rock production cast Åkerfeldt’s ballads into a searching, uncanny drift at the outskirts of the metal landscape.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
In World Cup lore, however, his gallantry is doomed to be overshadowed by that of his fellow-goalkeeper from Cabo Verde, Vozinha, who had already produced an uncanny impersonation of a brick wall on the fourth day of the tournament.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of uncanny

Adjective

With all that group experience and wealth of individual styles, Play Time try something entirely different for their debut album on the admirably esoteric Balmat label.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 3 July 2026
This offers the do-it-yourself warrior a simple, direct route from antiquated lead-acid to state-of-the-art lithium without having to search for esoteric parts online.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Definition of esoteric

Adjective

The Trojans kill the messenger, then haul the horse past their walled city’s impenetrable gates.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
The Athletic’s Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero breaks down Spain’s impenetrable defense, while Cerys Jones analyzes whether Kylian Mbappe can guide France to a third consecutive World Cup final.

— The Athletic, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of impenetrable

Adjective

When Mina’s closest friend Lucy succumbs to his thrall, the enigmatic Professor Van Helsing is summoned to wage war on this unfathomable threat.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 July 2026
How does personal responsibility enter into this world of unfathomable dangers?

— Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026