incomprehensible

adjective

in·​com·​pre·​hen·​si·​ble (ˌ)in-ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

: impossible to comprehend : unintelligible

incomprehensible instructions

2

archaic : having or subject to no limits

incomprehensibility

(ˌ)in-ˌkäm-pri-ˌhen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

incomprehensibleness noun

incomprehensibly

(ˌ)in-ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• impenetrable
• unfathomable
• ungraspable
• unintelligible

Examples of incomprehensible in a Sentence

I found his behavior utterly incomprehensible.

It's incomprehensible to me that he could have acted that way.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, vowed Friday to seek Yoon's impeachment, describing the decision to impose martial law as incomprehensible and dangerous. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Reparations can be paid in images, guilt sloughed away with incomprehensible signifiers of accountability. —Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

Yet the sheer volume of healthcare data is nearly incomprehensible. —Premier Contributor, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Disney first unveiled their new CGI design for Stitch at their D23 convention back in August, but Stitch's personality is all in his chaotic movements and incomprehensible alien sounds. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin incomprehensibilis, from in- + comprehensibilis comprehensible

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

incomprehensible

adjective

in·​com·​pre·​hen·​si·​ble (ˌ)in-ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-sə-bəl 

: impossible to understand

found their behavior incomprehensible

incomprehensibility

-ˌhen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

incomprehensibly

-ˈhen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb