as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe
to most people it seemed unthinkable that such a gentle man could be guilty of such awful crimes
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Recent Examples of unthinkable
In what may amount to the most important game in franchise history, the Knicks dug themselves a 29-point hole — then came out like John Wick in the second half to pull-off an unthinkable 107-106 comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Not that big a sacrifice for two programs in different conferences from Texas Tech, but something to keep an eye on if, say, a not-unthinkable matchup between the 'Dawgs and Red Raiders comes up in next season's College Football Playoff.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Creating an effect that would look homemade — shoddy, even — was initially unthinkable for Vickers.
—Carita Rizzo, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026
For most visitors, touching the art would be unthinkable.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unthinkable
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Not that big a sacrifice for two programs in different conferences from Texas Tech, but something to keep an eye on if, say, a not-unthinkable matchup between the 'Dawgs and Red Raiders comes up in next season's College Football Playoff.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Creating an effect that would look homemade — shoddy, even — was initially unthinkable for Vickers.
—Carita Rizzo, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026
For most visitors, touching the art would be unthinkable.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unthinkable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unthinkable
Adjective
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The South American squad secured the $350,000 prize and trophy after an incredible lower bracket run, overcoming an early playoff loss to Paper Rex.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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Instead, Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room made an incredible 15 saves and Ecuador walked away with a humbling result against an opponent it was heavily favored to beat.—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Adjective
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After Mexico suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Sweden, their hopes of advancing hinged on South Korea’s team pulling off an unlikely victory over Germany.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Joining Merlin the duck in the pantheon of heart-stealers is Osito, an 8-year-old rescue poodle mix who's become an unlikely sensation after arriving at Mexico’s opening match perched on the back of a cargo bicycle, dressed in a Mexico jersey, sunglasses and a cap.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
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On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Few Western democracies are willing to embrace the kind of highly restrictive model that would make circumvention nearly impossible.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
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Airbus engineers added an extra fuel tank and extended the aircraft’s range by approximately 1,000 nautical miles, allowing the planes to fly routes that were once technically impossible.—
Jake McGowan,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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The American players seem eager to embrace what might have seemed inconceivable for a big nation with a relatively shallow pedigree in international soccer.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
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This level of dominance is inconceivable.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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That juxtaposition — of unimaginable darkness and enduring light — is at the heart of this journey.—
Rabbi Evan Susman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
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My own field of the interface of infectious diseases and the immune system has been transformed in the past few years with technological advances that were unimaginable years ago.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Odyssey tells the unbelievable story of humanity’s first chapter in space, minute by breathtaking minute.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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In a weird twist, the Red Sox played the Giants later that week, adding more absurdity to an already unbelievable situation.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unthinkable. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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