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
Any notion of defeat was unthinkable, an almost taboo topic.
—
Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
In Japan last month, Nissan and Honda, facing the looming threat Chinese EV giants, announced a once unthinkable partnership to develop electric vehicles together.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Back in the old-timey days, killing off the star of a series was unthinkable.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
Through their eyes, the series keys in to the details that reflect how rapidly the previously unthinkable can turn into reality.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2024
Like nuclear weapons, the weaponization of food can bring about mass civilian deaths and unthinkable horrors, provoking rightful moral outrage at the prospect of its use.
—Zach Helder, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2024
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
Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
In Japan last month, Nissan and Honda, facing the looming threat Chinese EV giants, announced a once unthinkable partnership to develop electric vehicles together.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Back in the old-timey days, killing off the star of a series was unthinkable.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
Through their eyes, the series keys in to the details that reflect how rapidly the previously unthinkable can turn into reality.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2024
Like nuclear weapons, the weaponization of food can bring about mass civilian deaths and unthinkable horrors, provoking rightful moral outrage at the prospect of its use.
—Zach Helder, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near unthinkable
Cite this Entry
“Unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unthinkable. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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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