unconscionable
Americanadjective
-
not guided by conscience; unscrupulous.
-
not in accordance with what is just or reasonable.
unconscionable behavior.
-
an unconscionable profit.
- Synonyms:
- inordinate, unwarranted, immoderate, extreme
adjective
-
unscrupulous or unprincipled
an unconscionable liar
-
immoderate or excessive
unconscionable demands
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unconscionable
First recorded in 1555–65; un- 1 + conscionable
Explanation
Something that is almost unimaginably unacceptable is unconscionable. Think of it as being something that no reasonable person would even think of doing or saying — something unbelievable, outrageous, and often horrible. The word unconscionable is related to the word conscience. Add the un-, and you can see that it refers to something done without applying good moral judgment. The word first appeared in the mid-16th century — presumably everyone up until that time had high scruples and never did or said anything beyond the boundaries of conscience. Sadly, the antonym, conscionable, is rarely used, and, in fact, has been obsolete since the 18th century, though unconscionable remains in frequent use.
Vocabulary lists containing unconscionable
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Contracts may also be rescinded if they contain unconscionable terms, meaning the agreement is extremely one-sided or harsh — especially in cases involving a serious mistake by one party that makes enforcement unfair.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
Award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy, who had been due to present a restored version of a 1989 film she wrote, pulled out of the event, branding Wender's words "unconscionable" and "jaw-dropping".
From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026
A Cabinet Office source said: "The fact that selective excerpts are now being resurfaced, almost a decade on, to substantiate vexatious anonymous briefings from disgruntled individuals is frankly unconscionable."
From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026
“Mr. Spolin failed in that duty by misleading inmates and their families and charging them unconscionable fees for his own personal gain. This was serious misconduct justifying disbarment.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025
The Corcorans were thoughtless but this was unconscionable; those monsters, I thought, those imbeciles, they just went off and left it here all by itself.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
