unthinkable

adjective

ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce unthinkable (audio)
Definition of unthinkablenext
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

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 unthinkable Howard Zinn achieved a level of fame unthinkable for most historians. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026 Many Democratic leaders predict that the House majority is all but theirs, and that the Senate majority, almost unthinkable a year ago, is nearly in their grasp as well. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 Micron is generating margins that would have been almost unthinkable in previous memory cycles, while the stock still trades at one of the lowest earnings multiples in the S & P 500 . — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 That would be impractical in Soho and unthinkable in Times Square. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unthinkable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unthinkable
  1. incredible
  2. unlikely
  3. incredulous
  4. impossible
  5. inconceivable
  6. unimaginable
  7. unbelievable
Adjective
  • The quick thinking to observe, to then park and follow someone into the school is incredible and undoubtedly saved people.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There's an incredible amount to explore between northern lights hunting sessions.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Despite the hefty reservation payments, the Roadster is unlikely to become a major revenue source for Tesla.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The deal was therefore unlikely to meaningfully strengthen Russia's war finances, Aleksashenko said.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • In a true turn of events that would seem almost incredulous in a Hollywood script, the boss of a now defunct production company that specialized in true crime is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Well, not necessarily unhittable, but impossible to score runs against.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The documentary contains, through her participation and performance, the accommodation that facts alone are insufficient and maybe impossible.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • But the story of twentieth-century democracy from Watergate to the Pentagon Papers is inconceivable without print.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Technology, public taste and economic conditions all contributed to its once-inconceivable drastic makeover.
    — Rick Nicita, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of inconceivable
Adjective
  • Precision therapies can support diagnosis and personalize treatment options at a pace that would have been unimaginable just a decade ago.
    — Brad Kreick, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But, beyond the wall-to-wall coverage and sensational headlines, is a story about the incredible courage, devotion, and strength that Natalee’s mother, Beth, showed in the face of unimaginable loss.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unimaginable
Adjective
  • What Zoe [Kazan] has done with Steinbeck’s East of Eden is just unbelievable.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Marking 20 years as a band last month, and realizing we’ve been nominated 19 times for vocal group of the year, is unbelievable.
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unbelievable

Browse Nearby Words

untethers
unthinkable
unthinkably
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Cite this Entry

“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unthinkable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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