Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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.


noun

unthinkables plural
  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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Unthinkable now given his 10 goals and six assists have had some of the very best taking notice, especially with speculation over his next move gathering pace given his Fulham deal ends this summer.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

As Chisel dashed through a zigzag performance of “The Unthinkable Is True,” at least five of my major muscle groups decided they were 17 years old.

From Washington Post • Feb. 23, 2023

“Leadership, organization and strategy are not prerequisites,” Charles Kurzman, professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina and author of The Unthinkable Revolution in Iran, said in a phone call.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2022

"Seinfeld" Seasons 1-9 "Serendipity" "Spy Kids" "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" "Spy Kids 3: Game Over" "Step Brothers" "The Ugly Truth" "Till Death" "Titanic" "Tommy Boy" "Unthinkable" "Waterworld" "Zodiac"

From Salon • Oct. 2, 2021

Unthinkable to disobey the iron voice from the wall.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "unthinkable" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com