unthinkable

[ uhn-thing-kuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. inconceivable; unimaginable:

   the unthinkable size of the universe.

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

   Such a suggestion is unthinkable.

noun

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

   Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's realities.

unthinkable

/ ʌnˈθɪŋkəbəl /

adjective

1. not to be contemplated; out of the question
2. unimaginable; inconceivable
3. unreasonable; improbable

Derived Forms

• unˈthinkably, adverb
• unˌthinkaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• unthink·a·bili·ty un·thinka·ble·ness noun
• un·thinka·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unthinkable¹

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

Example Sentences

VOSD’s MacKenzie Elmer reports in a new story on the agency’s latest push for an idea that has long been considered unthinkable.

From Voice of San Diego

It could be the most expensive public works project in San Diego’s 170-year history and the idea has been discussed for decades but was long written off as unthinkable.

From Voice of San Diego

A few years ago, BP’s plan to pivot away from oil would been unthinkable.

From Quartz

Graphics by Anna WiederkehrAmericans have changed their behavior in ways that would have been unthinkable even a few months ago.

From FiveThirtyEight

We need to get money into people’s hands immediately to prevent the unthinkable from happening right here in the United States.

From Freakonomics

It is, Zelden said, “unthinkable” that Scalise would harbor these views.

From The Daily Beast

You even went out and bought the fabric for your own Oscar dress, which would be unthinkable for an actress to do today.

From The Daily Beast

To the millions of Russians who listen to Echo both on the radio and online, the idea of life without Echo is unthinkable.

From The Daily Beast

Defying instructions would have been unthinkable during the tenure of his father or grandfather.

From The Daily Beast

A few short years ago, says Pierre Monie, such a scene would have been nearly unthinkable.

From The Daily Beast

And when Lessard flung out that last unthinkable accusation, the explosion came.

From Project Gutenberg

While it is raw, and crude, and practically in its infancy, it at the same time suggests an unthinkable antiquity.

From Project Gutenberg

This unthinkable giant had an arm about each pillar and strained as Samson had strained at the pillars of the temple.

From Project Gutenberg

A thing purple and dripping with blood—ghastly—unthinkable—monstrous—a spectre of nightmare dreams!

From Project Gutenberg

Both had made costly sacrifices, of which he was unworthy; but it was unthinkable that the sacrifices should be made in vain.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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