Incomprehensibly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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incomprehensibly
[ˌɪnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsəbli ]
Definition
used to describe something that is impossible to understand
In a way that is impossible to understand or make sense of. Something that is incomprehensibly is beyond the limits of comprehension.
Synonyms
bafflingly, mysteriously, unintelligibly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incomprehensibly |
When something is too complex or confusing to understand.
|
| unintelligibly |
When speech or writing is impossible to understand because it is unclear or garbled.
|
| bafflingly |
When describing a situation or action that is surprising and very difficult to explain or understand.
|
| mysteriously |
When something is done in a way that is secretive or difficult to understand, often creating a sense of mystery or intrigue.
|
Examples of usage
- She stared at him incomprehensibly, unable to fathom his strange behavior.
- The complexity of the quantum mechanics theory was incomprehensibly difficult for the students to grasp.
- The alien language was incomprehensibly different from any language on Earth.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Cognitive overload can make information seem incomprehensible when too much is presented at once, affecting memory and understanding.
- Difficulty in understanding complex concepts can lead to frustration and disengagement, a phenomenon studied in cognitive psychology.
Literature
- Authors sometimes use incomprehensible phrases intentionally to convey characters' confusion or to challenge readers.
- James Joyce’s 'Finnegans Wake' is often cited as one of the most incomprehensible novels, using stream-of-consciousness techniques.
Pop Culture
- The movie 'Inception' presents complex ideas about dreams, leaving some viewers feeling incomprehensible confusion over the plot.
- Songs with abstract lyrics or complex narratives, like those by progressive rock bands, can also feel incomprehensible to listeners.
Science
- In quantum physics, certain theories can seem incomprehensible due to their abstract nature and paradoxes, like wave-particle duality.
- The concept of infinity in mathematics can be difficult to grasp, often leading to overwheming feelings of incomprehensibility among students.
Origin of 'incomprehensibly'
Main points about word origin
- The prefix 'in-' comes from Latin, meaning 'not', and 'comprehendere' means 'to grasp or understand'.
- This word is formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ibly' to 'incomprehensible', which means something that cannot be understood.
The word 'incomprehensibly' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of', the root word 'comprehensible' meaning 'able to be understood', and the suffix '-ly' which forms an adverb. The term has been in use since the 17th century in the English language, evolving to describe something that is impossible to understand or make sense of.
See also: comprehend, comprehended, comprehending, comprehendingly, comprehensibility, comprehensible, comprehension, comprehensive, comprehensiveness, incomprehensibility, incomprehensible.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,776, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.