inscrutable

[ in-skroo-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being investigated, analyzed, or scrutinized; impenetrable.

   Synonyms: undiscoverable, inexplicable, incomprehensible, hidden

   Antonyms: comprehensible

2. not easily understood; mysterious; unfathomable:

   an inscrutable smile.

3. incapable of being seen through physically; physically impenetrable:

   the inscrutable depths of the ocean.

inscrutable

/ ɪnˈskruːtəbəl /

adjective

1. incomprehensible; mysterious or enigmatic

Derived Forms

• inˌscrutaˈbility, noun
• inˈscrutably, adverb

Other Words From

• in·scruta·bili·ty in·scruta·ble·ness noun
• in·scruta·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscrutable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word inscrūtābilis. See in- ³, scrutable

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscrutable¹

C15: from Late Latin inscrūtābilis, from Latin in- ¹+ scrūtārī to examine

Synonym Study

See mysterious.

Example Sentences

And yes, the NCAA recently rejiggered its Talumudically inscrutable rules in ways that will benefit the selfsame big five.

From The Daily Beast

But the underlying cause remains inscrutable—and still too dissimilar to draw general conclusions.

From The Daily Beast

[Laughs] Nina seems to me to be the most inscrutable character—the most opaque character—and fascinating because of it.

From The Daily Beast

The characters are inscrutable, the plotting careless, and, at every opportunity, Bowles subverts the dramatic stakes.

From The Daily Beast

Jamie Malanowski on the legacy of an inscrutable rock-and-roll legend.

From The Daily Beast

The glowing world seemed peopled by tiny folk, living out their timid, inscrutable lives around him.

From Project Gutenberg

Each step he had taken in the inquiry only plunged him deeper and deeper into an inscrutable problem.

From Project Gutenberg

The young agent had a certain inscrutable air about him, for all his youth, which was most disturbing.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter glanced swiftly at Lechmere, but he could make nothing of the other's inscrutable face.

From Project Gutenberg

No one gave her any heed except as the Cousin girl walked by her several times, watching her with inscrutable eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• enigmatic
• impenetrable
• incomprehensible
• unfathomable
• unintelligible