Unaccountable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unaccountable

[ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbl ]

Definitions

^{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?

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?

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Politics

In governance, unaccountable leaders can lead to corruption, as they may not be held responsible for their actions.
The term often arises in discussions about transparency in government, emphasizing the need for oversight.

Psychology

Feeling unaccountable can lead to behaviors where individuals might act without considering the consequences.
Studies suggest that anonymity and lack of responsibility can result in decreased ethical behavior in group settings.

Literature

In literature, unaccountable characters are often portrayed as chaotic or unpredictable, adding tension to the story.
Classic novels sometimes explore themes of unaccountability through characters who evade responsibility for their actions.

Business

In the corporate world, leaders who are unaccountable can negatively impact company culture and employee morale.
Effective organizations establish clear accountability measures to ensure everyone answers for their performance.

Origin of 'unaccountable'

Main points about word origin

The word combines 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'accountable,' which comes from the Latin 'computare' meaning 'to count or calculate.'
Its use dates back to the 16th century, reflecting a time when the idea of responsibility was becoming more formalized in society.

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.

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.

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18248 disillusioned
18249 plaint
18250 grad
18251 unaccountable
18252 prickly
18253 sleeper
18254 eliciting
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