unspeakable

adjective

un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl How to pronounce unspeakable (audio)
1
a
: incapable of being expressed in words : unutterable
b
: inexpressibly bad : horrendous
unspeakable living conditions
unspeakable evil
2
: that may not or cannot be spoken
the bawdy thoughts that come into one's head—the unspeakable wordsL. P. Smith
unspeakable collections of consonantsRosemary Jellis
unspeakably adverb

Examples of unspeakable in a Sentence

the unspeakable horror of war continually encountered unspeakable beauty in their travels through the Alps
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.
We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 In this decaying, labyrinthine city, John and Laura meet a pair of weird sisters who claim to have seen their dead child, sending the couple into a spiral of hope, fear, and, finally, unspeakable horror. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 Decades earlier, that same house was the home of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of the death camp Auschwitz, and unspeakable horrors took place on the other side of its garden wall. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Goosebumps has had the actor immerse himself in a menacing world teaming with grisly disappearances, murderously sentient plant life, and unspeakable family tragedy. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unspeakable 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unspeakable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unspeakable

Cite this Entry

“Unspeakable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unspeakable. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

unspeakable

adjective
un·​speak·​able ˌən-ˈspē-kə-bəl How to pronounce unspeakable (audio)
ˈən-
1
: impossible to express in words
unspeakable beauty of the sunset
2
: extremely bad
unspeakable conduct
unspeakably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unspeakable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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