unaccountable
Americanadjective
-
impossible to account for; unexplained; inexplicable.
The boat has an unaccountable tendency to yaw.
- Synonyms:
- unintelligible, mysterious, inscrutable, incomprehensible
-
exempt from being called to account; not answerable.
As a subordinate, he is unaccountable for errors in policy.
- Synonyms:
- irresponsible, unanswerable
adjective
-
allowing of no explanation; inexplicable
-
puzzling; extraordinary
an unaccountable fear of hamburgers
-
not accountable or answerable to
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unaccountable
First recorded in 1635–45; un- 1 + accountable
Explanation
People, especially those in leadership positions, are described as unaccountable when they behave as though they don't need to explain themselves, answer to anyone else, or take responsibility for their actions. We often complain about the need for "accountability" when our leaders spend our money, oversee our wars, or make confusing new laws without explaining to us what's going on. If there's nothing in place to keep them from being corrupt, we say that they are "unaccountable." Another interesting definition of unaccountable is "unexplainable." Crop circles, Big Foot sightings, and unidentified flying objects are mysterious and unaccountable.
Vocabulary lists containing unaccountable
"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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The Time Machine
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The Awakening
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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.
One important proposal: Let parents who choose to expose their wannabe-elite athlete children to unaccountable authority figures, in pursuit of college athletic scholarships and Olympic glory, do so on their own dime.
From Salon ● Feb. 22, 2026
The Epstein files, and what they have revealed regarding a network of those apparently high in connections but low on morals, has left people feeling angry at such unaccountable power and wealth.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026
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 ● Oct. 10, 2025
They’re not wildly unaccountable, they are a part of the government.
From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2025
The courier, whom Longstreet did not recognize, saluted, then for some unaccountable reason took off his hat, stood bareheaded in the sun, yellow hair plastered wetly all over his scalp.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
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.
