unthinkable
unthinkable
Definition
un·think·able (-t̸hiŋ′kə bəl)
adjective
- beyond the ability to understand or imagine; inconceivable
- so extreme, foul, etc. as to be unfit to be imagined or considered unthinkable war crimes
Etymology: ME unthenkable
un·think′·ably adverb
unthinkable
Synonyms
unthinkable
modif.
Inconceivable
incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, improbable; see unbelievable, unlikely.Impossible
out of the question, absurd, illogical, contrary to reason, beyond the bounds of possibility.
unthinkable
Usage Examples
Preposition: that
- government: It is therefore unthinkable that any British government under present circumstances would not line up with the US.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- make: This makes closure unthinkable to many, and even at this late stage I hope an alternative may be found.
Modifies a noun
- thought: Are we not driven to think some unthinkable thoughts?
- today: Gleaming precious little I left school at 15 years with no formal qualifications, never having sat an exam something unthinkable today.
- thing: This has helped her cope with the unthinkable things that have happened to her.
- consequence: No doubt some folks in need of urgent attention will be failed, with unthinkable consequences.
- measure: Fortunately, this country drew back from such unthinkable measures.
Modifying Another Word
- almost: The pair meet tomorrow in the last sixteen - almost unthinkable!
- literally: The consequences of an all-out effort by our armed forces in the nuclear age became literally unthinkable.
- virtually: And now that I'm actually doing it, the idea of not doing it is virtually unthinkable.
- previously: The government has gone to previously unthinkable lengths on immigration.
- simply: However, building outside of Britain was " simply unthinkable " , Kelly says.
- quite: It is quite unthinkable - yet it must happen.
Infinitive complement
- have: Today, it is almost unthinkable not to have a television.
Used with adjective complement
- seem: Or did it seem unthinkable, perhaps, ten years ago?
- become: The consequences of an all-out effort by our armed forces in the nuclear age became literally unthinkable.
- consider: Developers are creating homes in places they would have once considered unthinkable.
Preposition: in
Browse dictionary entries near unthinkable
- unthink
- unthankful
- untether
- Unterwalden
- Untermeyer
- untenable
- unteach
- untaught
- untarnished
- untangle
