unapproachable

American  

[uhn-uh-proh-chuh-buhl] / ˌʌn əˈproʊ tʃə bəl /

adjective

1. not capable of being approached; remote; unreachable.

   an unapproachable spot; an unapproachable person.

   Synonyms:

   cold, austere, distant, aloof, inaccessible

2. impossible to equal or rival.

   unapproachable mastery of her art.

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unapproachable British  

/ ˌʌnəˈprəʊtʃəbəl /

adjective

1. discouraging intimacy, friendliness, etc; aloof

2. inaccessible

3. not to be rivalled

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Other Word Forms

• unapproachability noun
• unapproachableness noun
• unapproachably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unapproachable

First recorded in 1575–85; un- ¹ + approachable

Example Sentences

Variety described it as "dutiful fan service, sure to satisfy legions of cultists cosplaying in tweed, but not unapproachable to viewers who aren't entirely au fait with the show".

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

"Our continued collaboration with the So lab and their expertise with microscope development has enabled in vivo studies that are unapproachable using conventional, out-of-the-box two photon microscopes," she added.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2024

At the same time, though, beyond the ubiquitous miso soup at many a sushi restaurant, the staple remains decidedly unapproachable for many home cooks.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

Many state capitol buildings feel unapproachable, tucked away downtown or barricaded behind lanes of noisy traffic.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2024

She was as unapproachable as a porcelain god.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri