unanswerable

[ uhn-an-ser-uh-buhl, -ahn- ]

adjective

1. not capable of being answered; not having a known or discoverable answer:

   an unanswerable question.

2. not open to dispute or rebuttal; irrefutable; conclusive:

   an unanswerable proof.

unanswerable

/ ʌnˈɑːnsərəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being refuted
2. (of a question) not admitting of any answer

Derived Forms

• unˈanswerableness, noun
• unˈanswerably, adverb

Other Words From

• un·answer·a·ble·ness noun
• un·answer·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unanswerable¹

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ¹ + answerable

Example Sentences

The unanswerable question at the moment is how much of his expansive, repugnant, and frequently grandiose policy vision does he intend to pursue?

From Slate

As a filmmaker and a visual art, he looks intently, hoping to glean answers to questions that feel unanswerable.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s no shortage of stories to tell, or unanswerable questions to ask.

From Los Angeles Times

The unanswered and unanswerable questions.

From Slate

Now we are forced to ponder unanswerable or metaphysical questions about whether Harris appeared sufficiently presidential, and how wavering independents or notional “undecided” voters in a handful of swing states, who have somehow avoided drawing any firm conclusions about Donald Trump, interpreted this spectacle.

From Salon

Related Words

• accurate
• authentic
• binding
• compelling
• conclusive
• credible
• good
• lawful
• legal
• legitimate
• logical
• original
• persuasive
• solid
• true
• well-founded