unspeakable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unspeakable' is correct and usable in written English.
The word 'unspeakable' can be used to refer to something that cannot be put into words or described. For example, "She experienced an unspeakable sorrow after the death of her beloved pet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a feminist who has devoted her entire adult life to campaigning against unspeakable atrocities toward women committed by violent men, I find the idea of Brown's "rebranding" as a "hard man" ready to "pummel David Cameron into defeat with his bare fist" deeply offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neither am I familiar with the group trauma experienced by the Chibok community, or the thousands of other Nigerians who have been devastated by Boko Haram's unspeakable actions and further victimised by their government's indefensible inaction.

The Guardian

A dystopian hinterland where terror reigns, and everyone is a potential suspect and afraid of ending up in the "Landfill" – a place of unspeakable horror.

The Guardian - Books

At PSV Eindhoven, Ronald Waterreus used to switch on the television at all sorts of unspeakable hours to make sure his room-mate and fellow shot-stopper Georg Koch did not get a decent night's sleep before matches.

The Guardian - Sport

Behind the officers with assault rifles across their chests the shrub-covered hills loomed, a place where residents nearby said they have long suspected unspeakable things happened.

The Guardian

"The idea, the mere idea, of trying to draw and create suspense out of the question whether out of the shower head, gas is going to come or water … That, to me is unspeakable," said Haneke.

The Guardian - Film

Thank God I read that book soon after my daughter and I became a family of two, otherwise I'd have been having lots of unspeakable worries about whether it looks weird to love each other quite as much as we do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It soon becomes clear the Americans are going to do all sorts of unspeakable things, such as turning Mary Poppins into a musical, adding cartoon penguins and pouring tea into cups before the milk.

The Guardian - Film

These are among the most vulnerable refugees, people fleeing unspeakable violence".

The Guardian

It was unspeakable".

The Guardian - Film

And there began a journey that led easily to unspeakable things, even to complicity with the Nazis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unspeakable" to convey the intensity of something that is beyond words, either due to its emotional impact or its moral repugnance. It's particularly effective in describing atrocities, tragedies, or profound experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "unspeakable" to describe minor inconveniences or mildly negative situations. This diminishes its impact and can sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for situations that genuinely defy description.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unspeakable" primarily functions to qualify nouns, emphasizing the extreme nature of the noun it modifies. It highlights that the thing being described is beyond the capacity of language to fully capture, or that it is too awful to be spoken of directly. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unspeakable" is a powerful descriptor used to convey that something is beyond expression due to its intensity, horror, or moral repugnance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. It's crucial to wield this word judiciously, reserving it for scenarios where its profound impact is genuinely warranted, rather than diluting its strength in mundane situations. Alternatives like "unutterable", "indescribable", and "atrocious" can provide nuanced substitutes, contingent on the specific context. Furthermore, avoid overusing this term in everyday conversations as it might sound hyperbolic. While powerful, "unspeakable" can be very efficiently used to describe atrocities, tragedies or any kind of profund experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unutterable

Emphasizes the inability to express something verbally.

indescribable

Highlights the difficulty in conveying something through description.

ineffable

Focuses on the transcendent or spiritual nature of something beyond words.

unnameable

Suggests something so awful it cannot be given a name.

atrocious

Refers to something extremely wicked or brutal.

abominable

Indicates something intensely disliked or loathed.

dreadful

Conveys a sense of great fear or suffering.

horrendous

Implies something shockingly terrible or frightful.

appalling

Signifies something causing shock or dismay.

heinous

Describes something outrageously evil or wicked.

FAQs

How can I use "unspeakable" in a sentence?

You can use "unspeakable" to describe something that is too awful, shocking, or overwhelming to be expressed in words. For example, "The refugees had witnessed "unspeakable atrocities"" or "She felt an "unspeakable sorrow" after the loss."

What are some synonyms for "unspeakable"?

Alternatives to "unspeakable" include "unutterable", "indescribable", "ineffable", "atrocious", and "abominable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "unspeakable" in formal writing?

Yes, "unspeakable" is appropriate for formal writing when used to accurately describe something that is truly beyond words. However, it's crucial to ensure that its use aligns with the seriousness and tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "unspeakable" and "unimaginable"?

"Unspeakable" refers to something that cannot be adequately expressed in words, while "unimaginable" describes something that is difficult or impossible to conceive or imagine. While they can sometimes overlap, "unspeakable" focuses on the inability to articulate, while "unimaginable" focuses on the inability to conceive.