inscrutable
Americanadjective
-
incapable of being investigated, analyzed, or scrutinized; impenetrable.
- Synonyms:
- inexplicable, undiscoverable, incomprehensible, hidden
- Antonyms:
- comprehensible
-
not easily understood; mysterious; unfathomable.
an inscrutable smile.
-
incapable of being seen through physically; physically impenetrable.
the inscrutable depths of the ocean.
adjective
Related Words
See mysterious.
Other Word Forms
- inscrutability noun
- inscrutableness noun
- inscrutably adverb
Etymology
Origin of inscrutable
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word inscrūtābilis. See in- 3, scrutable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Melania, the documentary about the First Lady, is a lot like its subject: extremely expensive and fundamentally inscrutable.
From Slate • Feb. 3, 2026
Pegula described the inscrutable Rybakina as "cool as a cucumber".
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
There’s a stilted quality to the conversation as they discuss their eccentric, inscrutable dad.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025
Ramsey scored both goals in an impressive 2-0 victory to seal automatic qualification, and the euphoric scenes at Cardiff City Stadium moved the usually inscrutable Giggs to tears.
From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025
My expression is inscrutable but penetrating, hard but not brittle.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
