Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Inconceivable: meaning, definitions and examples

🤯
Add to dictionary

inconceivable

 

[ˌɪnkənˈsiːvəb(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a situation where something is considered impossible to believe

Not capable of being imagined or grasped mentally; unbelievable.

Synonyms

impossible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
inconceivable

Use when something is so unlikely or strange that it cannot be imagined or believed.

  • The idea of living on the moon seemed inconceivable a century ago.
  • It's inconceivable that he would betray his best friend.
unbelievable

Use when something is so extraordinary or surprising that it is hard to accept it as true.

  • The team's comeback in the last few minutes was unbelievable.
  • Her story about meeting the celebrity was unbelievable.
unimaginable

Use when something is beyond what one can picture or consider within the bounds of reality.

  • The level of destruction caused by the hurricane was unimaginable.
  • The idea of losing a child is unimaginable for any parent.
unthinkable

Use when something is so shocking or unacceptable that it cannot be contemplated or considered as a possibility. This often has a negative connotation.

  • For many, working on weekends is unthinkable.
  • The thought of betraying his own country was unthinkable to him.
impossible

Use when something cannot be done or achieved under any circumstances.

  • It is impossible to travel faster than the speed of light.
  • Climbing that mountain without any equipment is simply impossible.

Examples of usage

  • It is inconceivable that he would abandon his family.
  • The amount of money they spent on the project is inconceivable.
Context #2 | Adjective

used to express disbelief or astonishment

Not capable of being believed; unbelievable.

Synonyms

impossible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
inconceivable

Use when something is beyond imagination or cannot be comprehended.

  • The idea that humans could live on Mars seemed inconceivable a few decades ago
unbelievable

Use when something is so surprising or extraordinary that it is hard to accept as true.

  • His performance was so good it was almost unbelievable
unimaginable

Use when something is so extreme or incredible that it is difficult to imagine.

  • The destruction caused by the earthquake was unimaginable
unthinkable

Use when something is so shocking or extreme that it is difficult to think about or consider.

  • The possibility of another world war is unthinkable
impossible

Use when something cannot happen or cannot be done.

  • It is impossible for humans to breathe underwater without special equipment

Examples of usage

  • It is inconceivable that she didn't know about the party.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'inconcipabilis', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'concipere' means 'to conceive' or 'to imagine'.
  • It started being used in English around the early 17th century, becoming more popular in literature and discussion.

Literature

  • This word has been famously used in various works, especially in 'The Princess Bride,' where it highlights surprise and disbelief in situations.
  • In 'Hamlet' by Shakespeare, similar expressions convey characters' struggle with unimaginable grief and betrayal.

Pop Culture

  • The term gained new resonance in the 1980s due to dialogue and memes derived from iconic film quotes, cementing its place in pop culture.
  • It is often used in humorous contexts today, with characters exclaiming it in response to outrageous plots or twists.

Psychology

  • Humans have cognitive limits which make certain events or ideas challenging to grasp, often leading to feelings of disbelief.
  • Studies indicate that people might experience cognitive dissonance when confronted with facts that seem inconceivable based on their beliefs.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers discuss the boundaries of human thought, suggesting that some concepts may lie beyond what can be considered conceivable.
  • The discussions around logical paradoxes often include scenarios deemed inconceivable, pushing the limits of reasoning.

Translations

Translations of the word "inconceivable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inconcebível

🇮🇳 अकल्पनीय

🇩🇪 unvorstellbar

🇮🇩 tidak terpikirkan

🇺🇦 немислимий

🇵🇱 niewyobrażalny

🇯🇵 想像できない

🇫🇷 inconcevable

🇪🇸 inconcebible

🇹🇷 akıl almaz

🇰🇷 상상할 수 없는

🇸🇦 لا يُصدَّق

🇨🇿 nepředstavitelný

🇸🇰 nepredstaviteľný

🇨🇳 不可思议

🇸🇮 nepredstavljiv

🇮🇸 óhugsanlegt

🇰🇿 ақылға қонымсыз

🇬🇪 გაუგონარი

🇦🇿 ağlasığmaz

🇲🇽 inconcebible

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,147, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.