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

Other Word Forms

• unthinkability noun
• unthinkableness noun
• unthinkably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unthinkable¹

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

Example Sentences

Third, if we don’t enforce red lines, we open the door to the unthinkable.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

These names show that the unthinkable has become routine.

Read more on Salon

It's not an entirely unthinkable scenario, given that Republicans are currently divided over whether those subsidies – which help their own low-income voters as well as Democrats – should be continued.

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And after that, the Dodgers flirted with an unthinkable collapse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For Rachel Berry, getting married without her mother there would have been unthinkable - even if it meant moving the entire event.

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Related Words

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