unthinkable

American  

[uhn-thing-kuh-buhl] / ʌnˈθɪŋ kə bəl /

adjective

1. inconceivable; unimaginable.

   the unthinkable size of the universe.

2. not to be considered; out of the question.

   Such a suggestion is unthinkable.

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noun

1. something that cannot be conceived or imagined, as something too unusual, vague, or disagreeable.

   Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's realities.

unthinkable British  

/ ʌnˈθɪŋkəbəl /

adjective

1. not to be contemplated; out of the question

2. unimaginable; inconceivable

3. unreasonable; improbable

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Other Word Forms

• unthinkability noun
• unthinkableness noun
• unthinkably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unthinkable

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; un- ¹, thinkable

Example Sentences

She added that the actions of staff had fallen "well below the standards expected and would be utterly unthinkable at the Fettes of today".

From BBC

For the UK, this would be unthinkable now as it tries to navigate between its need to do business and its concerns over security.

From BBC

Security risks posed by American technology have been openly discussed as part of that work, one of the officials said, adding that such talk would have been unthinkable just six months ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, unthinkable now is Denmark reneging on its promises, including an independence referendum whenever Greenlanders want one.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We need to be prepared for scenarios that some might think are unthinkable,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• absurd
• extraordinary
• illogical
• implausible
• impossible
• improbable
• inconceivable
• preposterous
• rare
• unbelievable
• uncommon
• unimaginable
• unlikely
• unreasonable