Unintelligibility: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is difficult to understand because it is unclear or poorly communicated.

• The unintelligibility of his speech made it hard for the audience to follow his point.
• The unintelligibility of the ancient manuscript left scholars puzzled.

Refers to something that is impossible or very difficult to understand; often used for complex or highly technical subjects.

• The incomprehensibility of quantum physics can be daunting for beginners.
• His explanation was full of technical jargon, adding to its incomprehensibility.

Often used to describe something that is not well-known or is concealed. It can also refer to something that is hard to understand because it is ambiguous or vague.

• The poet remained in obscurity until his works were discovered posthumously.
• Her text was full of obscurity, making it hard to decipher her true meaning.

Describes something that lacks clarity in its expression or meaning. Often used in everyday language to point out confusion or lack of transparency.

• The unclearness of the instructions led to many mistakes.
• There was unclearness in his argument, leaving everyone confused.

Use when something is not clear or too complex to be understood. This term is often used in technical, academic, or verbose contexts.

• The unintelligibility of the professor's lecture left the students frustrated
• The legal document was filled with so much jargon that its unintelligibility made it nearly impossible to comprehend

Used in everyday situations where someone does not understand something or is unsure of what to do. Has a general and neutral tone.

• The new instructions caused a lot of confusion among the employees
• There was confusion about the meeting time, which led to many people arriving late

Best used to describe a situation or state of disorder or incoherence. It can suggest a mess, both literally or figuratively.

• The project was in a muddle after the team leader left
• His thoughts were in a muddle after staying up late studying

Suitable for emotional or mental states where someone feels completely lost or very surprised. Often has a more personal or internal nuance.

• She looked at the map in complete bewilderment
• His eyes reflected his bewilderment as he tried to understand the sudden change of plans