inexplicable
[in-ek-spli-kuh-buhl, in-ik-splik-uh-buhl]
- not explicable; incapable of being accounted for or explained.
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Origin of inexplicable
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word inexplicābilis. See in-3, explicable
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comunaccountable, mysterious, mystifying.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
mystifyingpuzzlingunaccountableunfathomablebafflingstrangemysteriousincomprehensibleoddpeculiarenigmaticindecipherableindescribableinscrutableinsolubleobscureunintelligibleunsolvableunexplainableinexplainableExamples from the Web for inexplicable
Contemporary Examples
It lets us see that our weird and inexplicable urges are actually normal and easily explained.
I admire Neil deGrasse Tyson, the astrophysicist and author of Space Chronicles and Inexplicable Universe.
Vilified Bitcoin Tycoon After Losing $500 Million: My Life Is at RiskNathalie-Kyoko Stucky
September 17, 2014
Secretary of State John Kerry called the group, “ugly, savage, inexplicable, nihilistic, valueless evil.”
She waited for the inexplicable sentiment to fade away, but instead it intensified and she began to sob.
Knocking on Heaven's Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of DeathPatricia Pearson
August 11, 2014
There is no good reason beyond that inexplicable American habit of following beaten paths.
Historical Examples
By an inexplicable insight the child seemed to know that he was dying.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
Yet something new, inexplicable, thwarted her and changed the simplicity of her passion.
The DreamEmile Zola
Her anguish was redoubled by this mysterious and inexplicable struggle within her.
The DreamEmile Zola
But that night, all at once, she felt her heart was softened by some inexplicable happiness.
The DreamEmile Zola
This inexplicable mystery was revealed to Joseph in a dream.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IIFrancis Augustus Cox
inexplicable
inexplainable
- not capable of explanation; unexplainable
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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 inexplicable
adj.
early 15c., from Middle French inexplicable or directly from Latin inexplicabilis "that cannot be unfolded or disentangled, very intricate," figuratively, "inexplicable," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + explicabilis "that may be explained" (see explicable). Related: Inexplicably.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper