inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl How to pronounce inexplicable (audio) (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli- How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
an inexplicable disappearance
inexplicability
ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-
noun
inexplicableness
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
noun
inexplicably
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
adverb

Examples of inexplicable in a Sentence

He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents. an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning
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.
However, one of them—a yellow-eyed wolf — saved her, creating an inexplicable bond between them. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2024 On Washington: Will allowing two kick-return touchdowns in the fourth quarter and missing an extra point that would have forced overtime during an inexplicable home defeat to the Dallas Cowboys wind up defining this once-promising Commanders season? Mike Sando, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024 From his refusal to extend that basic human decency to the Palestinian people to the failure to move more quickly to hold Trump accountable for his effort to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election, his mistakes were not just inexplicable but highly consequential. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 The Browns have suffered losses to the Giants and Raiders on a resume that includes a seemingly inexplicable victory over Baltimore. Jack Magruder, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inexplicable 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inexplicabilis, from in- + explicabilis explicable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inexplicable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inexplicable

Cite this Entry

“Inexplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexplicable. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

inexplicable

adjective
in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈsplik-ə-bəl How to pronounce inexplicable (audio) (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)splik- How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
: impossible to explain
an inexplicable mystery
inexplicability
ˌin-ik-ˌsplik-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)in-ˌek-(ˌ)splik-
noun
inexplicably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on inexplicable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!