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 Network hookups that would have been unthinkable a generation ago now look like an economic necessity. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 In the past, the possibility of endemic Ebola was unthinkable, and the international community was aligned and deeply committed. — Ivan Buendia Gayton, STAT, 7 July 2026 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 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
  • Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • The Nordstrom Beauty annual sale has returned in grand style, and there are incredible deals to be had.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 July 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Getty Images At first sight, Hannia Zia and Joana Ferreira are unlikely founders of a start-up promising to shake up the American construction industry.
    — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Many of the athletes represented are unlikely to earn significant NIL money—some might not earn any—by playing another season.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • When provided with the county’s explanation, Johnson was incredulous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • In Uvalde — where the scars of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting remain impossible to ignore — one person was killed and dozens of homes were destroyed, compounding years of the community’s collective grief.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Four years after Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud scandal emerged, theft from government programs has become impossible for state leaders to ignore as allegations continue to arise.
    — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • Conspiracy theorists have proposed many different (though mostly superstitious and inconceivable) reasons why disappearances and disasters occur in the Bermuda Triangle.
    — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of inconceivable
Adjective
  • Paul Peschisolido became Fulham’s first £1million signing, then Chris Coleman arrived for £2m — fees that had been unimaginable in the third tier.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • All because voters assumed that simply reaching the SEC Championship Game and beating Georgia was an unimaginable accomplishment.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of unimaginable
Adjective
  • The 15 stories below range from frustrating to funny to downright unbelievable, but each comes with a practical takeaway that could help another traveler avoid the same fate.
    — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • 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
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 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unthinkable for Spanish Speakers

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