Untouchable: meaning, definitions and examples

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untouchable

 

[ ʌnˈtʌʧəbəl ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

inviolable

Not able to be touched or affected; beyond the reach of criticism or attack.

Synonyms

immune, impregnable, invulnerable, sacrosanct.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
untouchable

Describing something or someone that cannot be affected or harmed, often in a social or professional context. Can also refer to something that is off-limits.

  • Despite numerous attempts, his reputation remained untouchable
  • Their sacred rituals are untouchable by outsiders
invulnerable

Describes something that is not susceptible to harm or damage, often in a physical or emotional context.

  • The superhero is invulnerable to most attacks
  • She built emotional walls to feel invulnerable
sacrosanct

Used to describe something that is considered too important or valuable to be interfered with, often in a cultural or religious context.

  • The ancient manuscript is sacrosanct
  • Her weekends are sacrosanct and not to be disturbed
immune

Used when someone or something is not affected by a disease, condition, or process, often in a medical or metaphorical sense.

  • After the vaccination, she was immune to the virus
  • He seemed immune to criticism
impregnable

Refers to something that cannot be broken into or penetrated, often used for physical structures or defenses.

  • The castle was considered impregnable during the siege
  • They created an impregnable password system

Examples of usage

  • The president's popularity seemed untouchable despite the scandal.
  • His reputation in the industry was untouchable.
  • The artist's work was considered untouchable by critics.
  • Her beauty was so striking that it seemed untouchable.
  • The team's winning streak was untouchable.
Context #2 | Noun

sports

A player, team, or record that has not been surpassed or exceeded.

Synonyms

dominant, record-breaking, unassailable, unbeatable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
untouchable

Repeated entry, see above for description and examples.

unbeatable

Best used when describing someone or something that cannot be defeated, often in competitions or challenges.

  • With their current lineup, the team looks unbeatable this season
  • Her unbeatable spirit helped her overcome all obstacles
unassailable

This word fits when referring to someone or something that cannot be attacked, questioned, or defeated because of their strong position or evidence.

  • His argument was unassailable, leaving no room for doubt
  • The fortress was in an unassailable location, making it impregnable
dominant

This word is suitable for describing someone or something that is more powerful, influential, or noticeable than others.

  • The dominant team in the league has won five consecutive championships
  • His dominant personality makes him a natural leader
record-breaking

Use this when talking about achievements that surpass previous records or set new standards.

  • She had a record-breaking performance at the Olympics, winning three gold medals
  • The company achieved record-breaking sales this quarter

Examples of usage

  • He was considered an untouchable in the world of tennis.
  • The team's unbeaten season made them untouchables in the league.

Translations

Translations of the word "untouchable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intocável

🇮🇳 अस्पृश्य

🇩🇪 unberührbar

🇮🇩 tidak tersentuh

🇺🇦 недоторканний

🇵🇱 nietykalny

🇯🇵 触れられない

🇫🇷 intouchable

🇪🇸 intocable

🇹🇷 dokunulmaz

🇰🇷 접할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير قابل للمس

🇨🇿 nedotknutelný

🇸🇰 nedotknuteľný

🇨🇳 不可接触的

🇸🇮 nedotakljiv

🇮🇸 ósnertanlegur

🇰🇿 қол жетпес

🇬🇪 შეუხებელი

🇦🇿 toxunulmaz

🇲🇽 intocable

Etymology

The word 'untouchable' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'touchable'. Originally used to describe something that cannot be touched physically, the term evolved to also represent something that is beyond reproach or criticism. In the context of sports, 'untouchable' gained popularity to describe players, teams, or records that are unmatched or unbeatable. The word carries a sense of invincibility and superiority, emphasizing the idea of being beyond reach or surpassing all others.

See also: touch, touchable, touchably, touched, touchiness, touching, touchingly, touchy, untouchability, untouched.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,455, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.