unthinkable

[uhn-thing-kuh-buhl]

adjective

1. inconceivable; unimaginable.

   the unthinkable size of the universe.

2. not to be considered; out of the question.

   Such a suggestion is unthinkable.

noun

1. something that cannot be conceived or imagined, as something too unusual, vague, or disagreeable.

   Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's realities.

unthinkable

/ ʌnˈθɪŋkəbəl /

adjective

1. not to be contemplated; out of the question

2. unimaginable; inconceivable

3. unreasonable; improbable

Other Word Forms

• unthinkability noun
• unthinkableness noun
• unthinkably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unthinkable¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; un- ¹, thinkable

Example Sentences

These names show that the unthinkable has become routine.

From Salon

It's not an entirely unthinkable scenario, given that Republicans are currently divided over whether those subsidies – which help their own low-income voters as well as Democrats – should be continued.

From BBC

And after that, the Dodgers flirted with an unthinkable collapse.

From Los Angeles Times

For Rachel Berry, getting married without her mother there would have been unthinkable - even if it meant moving the entire event.

From BBC

Charles Massey is due to tell a conference in Manchester that "patient safety is falling victim to unhealthy culture" and that "the unthinkable - harm to mothers and their babies – is at risk of being normalised".

From BBC

Related Words

• absurd 
• extraordinary 
• illogical 
• implausible 
• impossible 
• improbable 
• inconceivable 
• preposterous 
• rare 
• unbelievable 
• uncommon 
• unimaginable 
• unlikely 
• unreasonable