unthinkable
Americanadjective
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inconceivable; unimaginable.
the unthinkable size of the universe.
-
not to be considered; out of the question.
Such a suggestion is unthinkable.
noun
adjective
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not to be contemplated; out of the question
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unimaginable; inconceivable
-
unreasonable; improbable
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of unthinkable
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at 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.
Tuchel's strict refusal to operate a star system, as well as the emergence of Aston Villa's outstanding Rogers, has made Bellingham's place the subject of intense debate, a notion unthinkable after Euro 2024.
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026
This has made unthinkable a conventional armored thrust to Tehran, along the lines of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
E. Jean Carroll achieved the unthinkable and might end up paying a price for it.
From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026
But it turns out what was really unthinkable was Ferrell getting all 10 nuggets down the hatch before the Six Flags ride was over.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
It was unthinkable that Stargirl could survive—or at least survive unchanged—among us.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
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.
