unaccountable

American  

[uhn-uh-koun-tuh-buhl] / ˌʌn əˈkaʊn tə bəl /

adjective

1. impossible to account for; unexplained; inexplicable.

   The boat has an unaccountable tendency to yaw.

   Synonyms:

   unintelligible, mysterious, inscrutable, incomprehensible

2. exempt from being called to account; not answerable.

   As a subordinate, he is unaccountable for errors in policy.

   Synonyms:

   irresponsible, unanswerable

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unaccountable British  

/ ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl /

adjective

1. allowing of no explanation; inexplicable

2. puzzling; extraordinary

   an unaccountable fear of hamburgers

3. not accountable or answerable to

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Other Word Forms

• unaccountability noun
• unaccountableness noun
• unaccountably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unaccountable

First recorded in 1635–45; un- ¹ + accountable

Example Sentences

Critics say it shifts financial control away from politicians and into the hands of unaccountable arbitrators, which could lead to bloated labor costs.

From Los Angeles Times

But as bizarre and unaccountable as it was, Gabbard’s presence outside Atlanta did make a certain amount of sense.

From Los Angeles Times

But in recent filings to state officials, fire victims and consumer advocates say the law has gone too far and made the utilities’ unaccountable for their mistakes, leading to even more fires.

From Los Angeles Times

The Online Safety Act is being implemented in phases, and is intended to prevent past practices which Ofcom described as online platforms being "unregulated, unaccountable and often unwilling to prioritise people's safety over profits."

From BBC

Yet here, a single unaccountable administrator effectively outlawed an entire way of life for responsible therapists, guides and small businesses in Hawaii.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arcane
• impenetrable
• inexplicable
• unfathomable
• unheard-of
• unintelligible