unanswerable

[uhn-an-ser-uh-buhl, -ahn-]

adjective

1. not capable of being answered; not having a known or discoverable answer.

   an unanswerable question.

2. not open to dispute or rebuttal; irrefutable; conclusive.

   an unanswerable proof.

unanswerable

/ ʌnˈɑːnsərəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being refuted

2. (of a question) not admitting of any answer

Other Word Forms

• unanswerableness noun
• unanswerably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unanswerable¹

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ¹ + answerable

Example Sentences

“He speaks for the voiceless and tried his best to come up with answers to problems that seem unanswerable.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the perpetually unanswerable question is whether they will be up to whatever comes next.

From BBC

The boy was sentenced to seven years in custody while the girl was given a three-year youth rehabilitation order and made subject to a six-month curfew, which Mrs Kohli said was "unanswerable".

From BBC

The daughter of an 80-year-old man who died after being racially abused and assaulted in a park has called the sentence given to his 15-year-old killer "unanswerable", adding tougher sentences for young offenders are needed.

From BBC

Golijov’s score is also unanswerable, full of electronic effects, where the sound of gunshots beat out intricate dance rhythms.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accurate 
• authentic 
• binding 
• compelling 
• conclusive 
• credible 
• good 
• lawful 
• legal 
• legitimate 
• logical 
• original 
• persuasive 
• solid 
• true 
• well-founded