unthinkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unthinkable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so extreme or unimaginable that it cannot be conceived or accepted. Example: "The idea of losing everything in a single day was unthinkable to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A digital camera would have been unthinkable, colour out of the question.

The Guardian - Arts

And for a leadership already grappling with separatist movements in the western regions Tibet and Xinjiang, any sort of successful independence movement would set an unthinkable precedent.

The Guardian

Similar protests on the mainland would be unthinkable – even organisers of seemingly benign demonstrations are subject to extreme intimidation, even prosecution.

The Guardian

As someone with an English mother, to be in favour of Welsh nationalism was unthinkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

As phone coverage continues to increase around the world, it will provide more people with opportunities to access funds and services previously unthinkable.

The Guardian

It is unthinkable too in the mindset of Fianna Fáil – the most successful party in western Europe since the second world war.

The Guardian

No composer since can avoid the shadow of this great icon of the 20th century, and score after score by modern masters would be unthinkable without its model.

The Guardian - Music

When I came out as gay the sort of hysteria that has since overwhelmed my country was unthinkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking in 2009, Yablokov, a former Russian prosecutor, said the legal case would have been unthinkable in the past, but had become depressingly possible in light of recent Kremlin moves to rehabilitate Stalin and to portray him as an efficient leader.

The Guardian

In turn, such perception of horse trading between the DUP and Sinn Féin unnerves those in the republican community who previously supported the Adams-McGuinness leadership but now are uncertain as to where the new, once unthinkable alliance is taking their project.

The Guardian

It was this that brought forth the Edinburgh agreement on an independence referendum – something unthinkable even just a couple of years ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unthinkable" to express a strong sense of incredulity or impossibility, particularly when describing potential future scenarios or actions that deviate significantly from established norms. For instance, "It was unthinkable that they would betray their allies."

Common error

Avoid using "unthinkable" too frequently or in situations that are merely surprising or unexpected, rather than genuinely inconceivable. Overusing the word can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Instead, opt for more nuanced language to convey degrees of surprise or disbelief.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unthinkable" primarily functions to express a strong sense of incredulity or impossibility regarding a particular scenario or action. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment, highlighting the phrase's role in conveying extreme improbability. The examples provided showcase how "unthinkable" is used to emphasize the unexpected or unacceptable nature of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Opinion

19%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Arts

5%

Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unthinkable" is a versatile adjective used to express strong disbelief or impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news, opinion, and political contexts. While highly effective for conveying incredulity, it should be used judiciously to avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "inconceivable" or "unimaginable" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remembering this information and these simple recommendations will lead you to produce clear and impactful prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconceivable

Focuses on the inability to imagine something.

unimaginable

Highlights the difficulty in forming a mental picture of something.

impossible to imagine

Directly states the impossibility of picturing something.

beyond comprehension

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding something.

beyond belief

Highlights that something is hard to believe.

out of the question

Indicates something is not allowed or possible.

not to be considered

Suggests something should not be taken into account.

beyond the pale

Indicates something is outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

unacceptable

Emphasizes that something is not tolerable or allowed.

preposterous

Emphasizes the absurdity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "unthinkable" in a sentence?

"Unthinkable" is typically used to describe something that is so improbable or unacceptable that it's hard to imagine. For instance, "The idea of failing the exam was "unthinkable" to her."

What can I say instead of "unthinkable"?

You can use alternatives such as "inconceivable", "unimaginable", or "impossible to imagine" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "unthinkable"?

Use "unthinkable" when you want to convey a strong sense of disbelief or impossibility. It's suitable for situations that are highly improbable, morally unacceptable, or completely out of the ordinary. For example, "War between these two countries was once "unthinkable"."

What's the difference between "unthinkable" and "impossible"?

While both terms suggest that something cannot happen, "unthinkable" often carries a stronger emotional charge, implying a degree of moral objection or profound disbelief. "Impossible" is more straightforward, simply stating that something is not feasible. For example, "It's "impossible" to travel to Mars without advanced technology, but it's "unthinkable" that a parent would abandon their child."