inconceivable

inconceivable Definition

in·con·ceiv·able (in′kən sēv′ə bəl)

adjective

that cannot be conceived; that cannot be thought of, understood, imagined, or believed

inconceivable Related Forms

in′·con·ceiv′·abil′·ity noun or in′·con·ceiv′·able·ness in′·con·ceiv′·ably adverb

inconceivable Synonyms

modif.

fantastic, unimaginable, incredible; see impossible 1, unbelievable, unimaginable.

inconceivable Usage Examples

Preposition: that

anyone: It seems inconceivable that anyone could react negatively to this decision.
government: It is inconceivable that the government does not, by now, know it too.
man: Inconceivable that a man could return such treachery for divine love.
someone: It seemed inconceivable that someone so loved, so full of life, could just go.
people: It is inconceivable that people will sit back and let this happen.
owner: It is inconceivable that the owner of the mouse that made the fastest run could be sent home with nothing.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

make: With NATO, the EU has provided a framework that has made a major European war inconceivable.

Modifies a noun

conception: In J. Haynes and J. Miller ( eds ) Inconceivable Conceptions, London: Routledge.
horror: Confronted with photographs of atrocities from around the world, she selects pictures to fit the headlines whilst shielding the public from inconceivable horrors.

Modifying Another Word

almost: The idea of managing finances seems almost inconceivable in the context of student life.
virtually: That strikes me as so wildly improbable as to be virtually inconceivable.
absolutely: What Sam and Lucy are about to go through is absolutely inconceivable.
previously: It will bring the power of television to areas previously inconceivable.
simply: It is simply inconceivable that Gordon Brown should be allowed to become Prime Minister.
quite: It is quite inconceivable that they would seriously disarm the terrorist group when they support their actions.

Infinitive complement

think: It would be inconceivable to think of the College without thinking of our ' people ' - they are crucial to our continued success.
imagine: It's almost inconceivable to imagine there's a single person who hasn't heard of him on the entire planet.
have: New York is still one of the best places to have an office it would be inconceivable not to have one there.

Used with adjective complement

seem: The idea of managing finances seems almost inconceivable in the context of student life.
become: Beyond this, however, the preservation of fairness becomes inconceivable.

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