unthinkable
Americanadjective
-
inconceivable; unimaginable.
the unthinkable size of the universe.
-
not to be considered; out of the question.
Such a suggestion is unthinkable.
noun
-
unthinkables
plural
adjective
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not to be contemplated; out of the question
-
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.
The idea of letting children consume goodies prepared by a stranger might seem unthinkable now, but Chason Gordon argues that we’ve lost something by relying solely on store-bought candy.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026
Stankorb is worried that the constant social media repetition means the shock has “dulled over time,” putting the once unthinkable “in the realm of ‘normal.'”
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026
Hila shared that she does not know what comes next, adding, “I’m in survival mode, trying to navigate separation, co-parenting, and unthinkable heartbreak.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
McCarthy was on the verge of leading the New York Giants to an unthinkable comeback last Sunday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Her parents look to each other, as if I’ve asked something unthinkable.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
