UNTHINKABLE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

unthinkable

adjective

ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl

Definition of unthinkable

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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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 And an unthinkable Senegalese lapse set Youri Tielemans up for the equalizer just three minutes later. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 6 July 2026 But football has repeatedly embraced innovations once viewed as unthinkable, from the back-pass rule to VAR and longer stoppage time. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2026 Once unthinkable, Iran now knows how to make money by blocking access to the crucial waterway, and despite the treaty talks, is already making plans to do so. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Since then, mass shootings of this scale have been almost unthinkable. — Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unthinkable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unthinkable

Adjective

That while Richard Gadd was incredible in it, not recognizing Jamie Bell was pretty shocking to me.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 July 2026
States, including Arkansas, are about to take on a large part of the incredible financial responsibility for administering SNAP, along with a significant portion of the program's benefit costs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 July 2026

Definition of incredible

Adjective

Luther said that is unlikely to happen because the governor and lawmakers are campaigning for the November election.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Although the third-place play-off counts towards fantasy points, that game is unlikely to be taken too seriously by either side and rotation could be an issue.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

The ombudsmen point to impossible care burdens that cause burnout, irregular schedules, lack of training and the difficulty of taking care of seniors who, in previous decades, would have qualified for hospital care.

— Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Shrouded completely in a thick, poisonous cloud cover, its surface is obviously impossible to observe.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 5 July 2026

Definition of impossible

Adjective

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
Poland has reportedly been warned by the United States that Moscow might attack – in a limited fashion, perhaps with drones or another form of hybrid warfare, but still in a way that decades ago would have seemed inconceivable.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of inconceivable

Adjective

The key is to teach students to think, then use AI to build what was previously unimaginable.

— Vicki Phillips, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
An unimaginable weight rested on his shoulders when Alfonzo stepped into the batter’s box to a standing ovation.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of unimaginable

Adjective

Simon Hughes Yet another unbelievable goal from Mbappe Whoever ends up winning the Golden Boot will have a highlight reel for the ages.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 July 2026
So to come out here and have a little competition, but then also with this unbelievable setting here in Tahoe.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Definition of unbelievable

Browse Nearby Words

untethers

unthinkable

unthinkably

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Style

“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unthinkable. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unthinkable

adjective

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