Unaccountable: meaning, definitions and examples

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unaccountable

 

[ ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

inability to be explained or understood

Not able to be explained or understood; inexplicable; not accountable or responsible; free from blame or responsibility.

Synonyms

inexplicable, mysterious, perplexing, puzzling, unexplainable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unaccountable

Used to describe something that cannot be explained or justified, often in a way that is puzzling or frustrating.

  • Despite numerous investigations, the company's financial losses remain unaccountable
inexplicable

Refers to something that is impossible to explain or understand, generally used in formal or serious contexts.

  • Her sudden decision to quit her job was inexplicable to everyone who knew her
unexplainable

Similar to 'inexplicable,' used to describe something that cannot be explained or understood, but often seen as more casual.

  • The feeling he had when he first saw the painting was unexplainable
mysterious

Describes something that is difficult to understand or explain, often with a sense of intrigue or curiosity.

  • The old house on the hill had a mysterious aura that attracted many curious visitors
puzzling

Refers to something that causes confusion or is difficult to understand, often used in casual contexts.

  • It's puzzling why the cat keeps sitting in the empty cardboard box instead of using its bed
perplexing

Used when a situation or problem is very confusing and difficult to understand.

  • The detective found the clues in the case perplexing and couldn't see how they fit together

Examples of usage

  • His sudden disappearance was unaccountable.
  • The unaccountable events of that night left everyone puzzled.
  • She felt unaccountable joy at the news of her promotion.
Context #2 | Adjective

not subject to being called to account; exempt from the necessity of keeping records or justifying actions

Not subject to being called to account; not answerable or responsible; not liable to being called to account.

Synonyms

irresponsible, unchecked, uncontrolled, unreliable, untrustworthy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unaccountable

Used when someone who should be responsible is not held to answer for their actions or cannot be explained.

  • Politicians should not be unaccountable to the public.
  • His behavior is completely unaccountable.
irresponsible

Refers to people or actions that lack responsibility, often implying carelessness or recklessness.

  • It is irresponsible to leave a child alone at home.
  • Her irresponsible spending habits got her into debt.
unreliable

Used for someone or something that cannot be depended on or trusted to work well.

  • The train service is often unreliable.
  • He proved to be an unreliable witness in court.
untrustworthy

Describes a person who cannot be trusted, often implying deceit or dishonesty.

  • She is known to be untrustworthy with confidential information.
  • His past actions have made him untrustworthy.
unchecked

Describe something not stopped or controlled, often leading to negative consequences.

  • If left unchecked, the disease could spread rapidly.
  • Unchecked power can lead to corruption.
uncontrolled

Refers to something that is not restrained or under control, often suggesting chaos or danger.

  • The fire spread in an uncontrolled manner.
  • Uncontrolled emotions can lead to poor decisions.

Examples of usage

  • He acted in an unaccountable manner, ignoring all rules and regulations.
  • The company's finances were unaccountable, leading to suspicion of fraud.
  • The government official's unaccountable behavior raised concerns among the citizens.

Translations

Translations of the word "unaccountable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incontável

🇮🇳 अगणनीय

🇩🇪 unzählbar

🇮🇩 tak terhitung

🇺🇦 незліченний

🇵🇱 niezliczalny

🇯🇵 数え切れない (かぞえきれない)

🇫🇷 innombrable

🇪🇸 incontable

🇹🇷 sayısız

🇰🇷 셀 수 없는 (sel su eomneun)

🇸🇦 لا يحصى (la yuhsa)

🇨🇿 nepočitatelný

🇸🇰 nepočítateľný

🇨🇳 不可胜数的 (bùkě shèngshǔ de)

🇸🇮 neštet

🇮🇸 óteljandi

🇰🇿 сансыз

🇬🇪 განუსაზღვრელი

🇦🇿 sayıla bilməyən

🇲🇽 incontable

Etymology

The word 'unaccountable' originated in the late 16th century, derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'accountable' meaning 'responsible or answerable'. Over the years, it has been used to describe situations or individuals that cannot be explained, understood, or held responsible. The term has evolved to encompass both the sense of inexplicability and exemption from accountability, reflecting the complexities of human behavior and circumstances.

See also: account, accountabilities, accountability, accountable, accountably, accountant, accounting, accounts.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,251, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.