unthinkable

American  

[uhn-thing-kuh-buhl] / ʌnˈθɪŋ kə bəl /

adjective

1. inconceivable; unimaginable.

   the unthinkable size of the universe.

2. not to be considered; out of the question.

   Such a suggestion is unthinkable.

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noun

1. something that cannot be conceived or imagined, as something too unusual, vague, or disagreeable.

   Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's realities.

unthinkable British  

/ ʌnˈθɪŋkəbəl /

adjective

1. not to be contemplated; out of the question

2. unimaginable; inconceivable

3. unreasonable; improbable

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Other Word Forms

• unthinkability noun
• unthinkableness noun
• unthinkably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unthinkable

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; un- ¹, thinkable

Example Sentences

A rate increase, once unthinkable, has become thinkable thanks to stubborn inflation, Iran and a resilient economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the end of Euro 2024, it was unthinkable that Jude Bellingham's starting place would be a subject of debate for the 2026 World Cup.

From BBC

“The significant damage to critical energy infrastructure alongside the collapse in ship volume through the Strait of Hormuz were both unthinkable 3 weeks ago. Both are now realities,” the firm says.

From MarketWatch

It would have been unthinkable to squander two activities on the same bit of time!

From Literature

See: It was unthinkable a couple of weeks ago, but could the next move by the Fed be a rate hike?

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• absurd
• extraordinary
• illogical
• implausible
• impossible
• improbable
• inconceivable
• preposterous
• rare
• unbelievable
• uncommon
• unimaginable
• unlikely
• unreasonable