unknowable

adjective

Definition of unknowablenext
as in ambiguous
not able to be known No matter how far science advances, some things about the world will always remain unknown and unknowable. If passed, this law will have unknowable consequences.

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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 unknowable In the mid-2000s, Kate Moss was the last of a generation of celebrities who could be simultaneously ubiquitous and unknowable. — Raven Smith, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 But where John Steinbeck’s novel and the 1955 film made by Kazan’s grandfather Elia Kazan render her as a cipher, the embodiment of an unknowable evil, the Netflix version gives her far more texture and context. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 In its own way, this novel too experiments with our ability to connect with the unknowable. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 Man is an unknowable creature, and few things unsettle it more than forcing it to live within its mystery. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknowable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowable
  1. ambiguous
  2. mysterious
  3. enigmatic
  4. obscure
  5. uncertain
  6. murky
  7. unclear
Adjective
  • And Hawke shares why fans of the ambiguous ending to Paul Schrader’s 2018 religious drama, First Reformed, should thank Martin Scorsese.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Leadership can be complex and ambiguous; sport is refreshingly honest.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • They are treated as some sort of mysterious, violent group who steal and smash things.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Participants are assigned the role of an overnight security guard to monitor a mysterious tech firm.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Swamped by allegations of fraud, the actions of the company and its enigmatic CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, shone a harsh light on problems with scientific start-ups.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That's especially prevalent in the Oversized Graphic T-Shirt with enigmatic dates on the back -- those are already causing a stir in the fan community.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • But Sung, Bennett and Miller stayed his order, finding that the California deployment could go forward under an obscure and virtually untested subsection of the law.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The area sits within the Lake Superior clay plain, where the surrounding soil is largely composed of clay, which can make the water murky and obscure objects beneath the surface.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Whether those disparate parties can form a government is uncertain and will likely take weeks of haggling.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Treating your partner with respect and appreciation can strengthen your bond and help both of you feel more secure in an uncertain world.
    — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • Researchers theorize the pigment allows the fish to spot bioluminescence, giving it an additional tool to maneuver through the murky depths.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Among the murkier aspects of this setup is what will happen if the trustees come to feel that the co-founders have lost their devotion to safety and their board majority tries to right the ship.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • The first seven games of the season flew by, with Drinkwitz frequently relaying that Hardy’s return date was unclear — but promising to announce it himself when the time came.
    — PJ Green November 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2026
  • For now, the circumstances that brought the two helicopters into contact near McMinnville Municipal Airport remain unclear.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of unclear

Browse Nearby Words

unknowability
unknowable
unknowing
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Cite this Entry

“Unknowable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowable. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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