unthinkable
Americanadjective
-
inconceivable; unimaginable.
the unthinkable size of the universe.
-
not to be considered; out of the question.
Such a suggestion is unthinkable.
noun
adjective
-
not to be contemplated; out of the question
-
unimaginable; inconceivable
-
unreasonable; improbable
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cesarano, who serves as spokesman for Proton's internet censorship and online freedom work, pointed out that the extreme and once almost unthinkable measure has "happened three times in six months".
From Barron's
It seemed both unthinkable and at the same time obvious.
From Literature
It was a sad thing to be proud of, but I had to congratulate myself for surviving and for coming to some kind of acceptance of this unthinkable life, especially after my panicked initiation.
From Literature
Federal Reserve governor Stephen Miran delivered a speech External link at an economic conference last month that not long ago would have been unthinkable from a central banker.
From Barron's
Such a record was unthinkable in her early days on tour.
From BBC
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.
