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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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 Factory closures now seem not just possible but likely, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026 But their primitive way of living reveals itself to rather more devastating effect when their third child is born, and Inger commits an act of unthinkable desperation. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026 Not long ago, the idea of an undersized forward prospect with 68 career NHL games and 27 career points receiving more than $50 million would have been unthinkable. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 These experiences complement our research on how policies once considered unthinkable can gain acceptance among the public and policymakers. — Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unthinkable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unthinkable

Adjective

The train itself isn’t luxurious, but taking it gives you a front-row seat to witness the incredible feat of engineering required to load it onto special tracks on the ferry.

— Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Nearby Priego de Córdoba has some lovely tapas spots and fruit and vegetable stands with incredible fresh produce.

— Alicia Sanchez, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of incredible

Adjective

Some have academic credentials that would make admission through Harvard’s front door highly unlikely.

— Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Fazio was one of only four senators to oppose the bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, saying the state should defer to federal action that seems unlikely, given the opposition of the president.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

California‘s seven Supreme Court justices appeared by turns perplexed by and incredulous of those theories during oral arguments last month.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of incredulous

Adjective

And during the civil wars between King and Parliament that raged across Britain in the 1640s, such ideal stasis was impossible to preserve.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
But Trump made that all but impossible by announcing them with just five days left in the federal fiscal year and the House out of session through the November election.

— Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of impossible

Adjective

The agent claims to have personally witnessed Foster training for the role at an FBI fingerprinting lab, a coincidence that feels both inconceivable and difficult to invalidate beyond any shadow of a doubt.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
The self-loathing that burns in the creators, who are willing to harm their homeland just to get applause from antisemites around the world, is inconceivable and constitutes a betrayal of the state.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of inconceivable

Adjective

For a community that has gone through unimaginable pain, this field carries so much meaning.

— Ubah Ali, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
His job at AllSaints has opened the doors to top-tier suppliers, product-planning, quality control, and hard data on what actually moves on the shop floor — luxuries that would have been unimaginable for a four-year-old London label.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of unimaginable

Browse Nearby Words

untethers

unthinkable

unthinkably

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“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unthinkable. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unthinkable

adjective

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