unthinkable
adjective
un·think·able
ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl 
1
: not capable of being grasped by the mind
2
: being contrary to what is reasonable, desirable, or probable : being out of the question
Synonyms
Examples of unthinkable in a Sentence
to most people it seemed unthinkable that such a gentle man could be guilty of such awful crimes
Recent Examples on the Web
But the telling of Oppenheimer’s story in a Hollywood blockbuster would have been unthinkable several decades ago, when justification of nuclear weapons dominated American sentiments, Mr. Maeshima said.
—
Yuri Kageyama, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2024
Sweden and Finland recently joined NATO – something that until two years ago would have been unthinkable for two the famously neutral Scandinavian countries.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Indignities and red tape Patients at methadone clinics go to extraordinary lengths to receive their medication, complying with rules and suffering indignities that would be unthinkable in any other health care setting.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 26 Mar. 2024
Prince William is standing strong for his wife amid an unthinkable time for his family.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
In 1964, Californians voted to retain housing discrimination based on race — unthinkable today.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
The state’s cannabis restrictions had been loosening for almost a decade, but that year the government passed a law that would have seemed unthinkable just a short while before.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
And those countries who share borders with Russia almost universally share the view that the only way to ensure Russia doesn’t expand its aggression is by making NATO so strong an attack would be unthinkable, even to President Vladimir Putin.
—Luke McGee, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
This kind of involvement by women was unthinkable a few decades ago in Colombia.
—Astrid Suárez, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024
Yuri Kageyama, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2024
Sweden and Finland recently joined NATO – something that until two years ago would have been unthinkable for two the famously neutral Scandinavian countries.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Indignities and red tape Patients at methadone clinics go to extraordinary lengths to receive their medication, complying with rules and suffering indignities that would be unthinkable in any other health care setting.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 26 Mar. 2024
Prince William is standing strong for his wife amid an unthinkable time for his family.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
In 1964, Californians voted to retain housing discrimination based on race — unthinkable today.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
The state’s cannabis restrictions had been loosening for almost a decade, but that year the government passed a law that would have seemed unthinkable just a short while before.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
And those countries who share borders with Russia almost universally share the view that the only way to ensure Russia doesn’t expand its aggression is by making NATO so strong an attack would be unthinkable, even to President Vladimir Putin.
—Luke McGee, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
This kind of involvement by women was unthinkable a few decades ago in Colombia.
—Astrid Suárez, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unthinkable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of unthinkable was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing unthinkable
Dictionary Entries Near unthinkable
Cite this Entry
“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unthinkable. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
unthinkable
adjective
un·think·able
ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl
ˈən-
: not to be thought of or considered as possible
unthinkable cruelty
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