unspeakable

[ uhn-spee-kuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not speakable; that may not be spoken.
2. exceeding the power of speech; unutterable; inexpressible; indescribable.

   Synonyms: unimaginable, ineffable

3. inexpressibly bad or objectionable.

unspeakable

/ ʌnˈspiːkəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of expression in words

   unspeakable ecstasy

2. indescribably bad or evil
3. not to be uttered

   unspeakable thoughts

Derived Forms

• unˈspeakableness, noun
• unˈspeakably, adverb

Other Words From

• un·speaka·ble·ness noun
• un·speaka·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unspeakable¹

1350–1400; Middle English unspekeabill. See un- ¹, speak ( def ), -able ( def )

Example Sentences

It’s hard sometimes when your character is doing these unspeakable, unthinkable things.

From Los Angeles Times

"This is why I come here every day... Even if I hear unspeakable things, I am holding on because of all the men and women who are right behind me."

From BBC

On Saturday, the UN's top humanitarian official, Joyce Msuya, said that Palestinians in northern Gaza are enduring "unspeakable horrors" and called for these "atrocities" to stop.

From BBC

The UN's top humanitarian official, Joyce Msuya, said on Saturday that Palestinians in northern Gaza are enduring "unspeakable horrors" and called for these "atrocities" to stop.

From BBC

“As details of Erik and Lyle’s abuse came to light it became clear that their actions, while tragic, were the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable cruel of their father.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abominable
• appalling
• atrocious
• awful
• dreadful
• heinous
• horrible
• inconceivable
• indescribable
• ineffable
• inhuman
• monstrous
• odious
• shocking
• unbelievable
• unimaginable