the unthinkable

noun

: something that one cannot accept, believe, or imagine

especially : something that is so bad that one does not want to think about it

And then, the unthinkable happened: the car skidded out of control and crashed.

Examples of the unthinkable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

After the New Artist award was presented, there was a gut-wrenching montage that showed the unthinkable devastation wrought by the Los Angeles wildfires last month. —

Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2025 Isabella Strahan, daughter of beloved journalist, Good Morning America co-anchor, and former professional football player Michael Strahan, has experienced the unthinkable – battling medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. —

Dominique Fluker, Essence, 31 Jan. 2025 Yes, but: With Jayden Daniels at the helm, this team has accomplished the unthinkable: making Washington football fun again. —

Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 26 Jan. 2025 But during his speech on Wednesday morning Trump framed himself as an underdog accomplishing the unthinkable. —

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the unthinkable

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“The unthinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20unthinkable. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

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