Unexplainable: meaning, definitions and examples

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unexplainable

 

[ ˌənɪkˈspleɪnəbəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Not able to be explained or understood.

Synonyms

incomprehensible, inexplicable, mysterious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unexplainable

Used in the same manner as 'unexplainable' above; often interchangeable without a change in meaning.

  • His behaviors can be quite unexplainable sometimes.
  • The phenomenon is genuinely unexplainable by current science.
inexplicable

Describes something that cannot be explained or understood, often highlighting a sense of mystery or bewilderment.

  • The sudden drop in temperature was inexplicable.
  • She felt an inexplicable sadness looming over her.
incomprehensible

Used when something is difficult or impossible to understand, often due to its complexity or abstract nature.

  • The professor's lecture was full of incomprehensible jargon.
  • The sheer scale of the disaster is incomprehensible.
mysterious

When referring to something that is strange, unknown, or difficult to understand, often evoking curiosity or intrigue.

  • The old house on the hill has a mysterious aura.
  • His past is shrouded in mysterious stories and rumors.

Examples of usage

  • The sudden disappearance of the plane was unexplainable.
  • Her behavior was unexplainable, leaving everyone puzzled.
Context #2 | Adjective

phenomenon

Defying explanation or understanding; difficult to interpret or analyze.

Synonyms

inexplicable, mystifying, puzzling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unexplainable

Use when something cannot be explained or understood, often in more casual or less formal conversations.

  • The sudden change in his behavior is unexplainable.
  • There is an unexplainable sense of calm in this place.
inexplicable

Appropriate for formal or academic contexts when describing something that cannot be explained.

  • The scientist found the results inexplicable and warranted further investigation.
  • Her inexplicable decisions often left her colleagues baffled.
mystifying

Used to describe something that is baffling or confusing, often with an element of intrigue or curiosity.

  • The disappearance of the ancient civilization remains mystifying.
  • She had a mystifying smile that left everyone guessing.
puzzling

Used when something is confusing or difficult to understand, typically in day-to-day situations.

  • Her motives for helping him were puzzling.
  • The instructions for assembling the furniture were puzzling.

Examples of usage

  • The unexplainable events in the house led to rumors of it being haunted.
  • The unexplainable increase in sales left the analysts baffled.

Translations

Translations of the word "unexplainable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inexplicável

🇮🇳 अस्पष्ट

🇩🇪 unerklärlich

🇮🇩 tak terjelaskan

🇺🇦 нез'ясовний

🇵🇱 niewytłumaczalny

🇯🇵 説明できない (setsumei dekinai)

🇫🇷 inexplicable

🇪🇸 inexplicable

🇹🇷 açıklanamaz

🇰🇷 설명할 수 없는 (seolmyeonghal su eobsneun)

🇸🇦 غير قابل للتفسير (ghayr qabil liltafseer)

🇨🇿 nevysvětlitelný

🇸🇰 nevysvetliteľný

🇨🇳 无法解释的 (wú fǎ jiě shì de)

🇸🇮 nepojasnljiv

🇮🇸 óútskýranlegur

🇰🇿 түсініксіз

🇬🇪 აუხსნელი

🇦🇿 izaholunmaz

🇲🇽 inexplicable

Etymology

The word 'unexplainable' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'explainable'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-19th century. The concept of something being unexplainable has intrigued philosophers, scientists, and storytellers for centuries, as it challenges our understanding of the world around us.

See also: explainable, explained, explainer, explanations, explanative, explanatory, inexplicable, inexplicably, unexplainableness, unexplainably, unexplained.