inconceivable

[ in-kuh n-see-vuh-buh l ]

/ ˌɪn kənˈsi və bəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inconceivable ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not conceivable; unimaginable; unthinkable

unbelievable; incredible.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

incomprehensibly, incomprehension, incomprehensive, incompressible, incomputable, inconceivable, inconcinnity, inconclusive, incondensable, incondite, inconducive

Origin of inconceivable

First recorded in 1625–35; in-³ + conceivable

Related formsin·con·ceiv·a·bil·i·ty, in·con·ceiv·a·ble·ness, nounin·con·ceiv·a·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inconceivable

Or—just as inconceivable and absurd—sentencing entire generations of North Korean families to labor camps.
Gout or Out: North Korea’s No-Show Leader Keeps ‘Em Guessing|Kevin Bleyer|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This spring, the protests of the last few days were inconceivable.
Hong Kong Protesters Fear Martial Law Is Coming|Gordon G. Chang|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We have to shorten the distance between inevitable and inconceivable.
Square Deal, New Deal, and Now, From Hillary Clinton, a “Fair Shot”|Eleanor Clift|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Thursday, a nuclear exchange was, at least for most people, inconceivable.
Putin Threatens Nuclear War Over Ukraine|Gordon G. Chang|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For a small and fledgling army, open revolution was inconceivable.
Anger at the Heart of Nelson Mandela’s Violent Struggle|Christopher Dickey|December 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But whereas before it had seemed nearer, it now seemed an inconceivable distance away, and all the more sinister for that.
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Vol. II: In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians|Ambrose Bierce
It was inconceivable that she, a girl so utterly sensible, should have done so.
Helen with the High Hand (2nd ed.)|Arnold Bennett
She was still young, and it was inconceivable to her that anything she loved so much should die.
Audrey Craven|May Sinclair
And then, with inconceivable rapidity, we came back to the serenity and confidence which comes with daylight.
The Mystery of the Sea|Bram Stoker
As into dust and air melted the inconceivable blossoms of life into mysterious words.
Peter Schlemihl etc.|Adelbert Chamisso

British Dictionary definitions for inconceivable

inconceivable

/ (ˌɪnkənˈsiːvəbəl) /

adjective

incapable of being conceived, imagined, or considered

Derived Formsinconceivability or inconceivableness, nouninconceivably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inconceivable

inconceivable

adj.

1630s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + conceivable. Related: Inconcievably. An Old English word for this was unasmeagendlic.