inconceivable
Impossible to fathom
Inconceivable describes something impossible to imagine or believe—beyond what the mind can grasp or accept: The scale of the universe is almost inconceivable.
Often used hyperbolically for things merely surprising or unacceptable: It's inconceivable that they'd cancel the project now.
The word gained comic fame from *The Princess Bride*, where a character's repeated use becomes a running joke.
Unlikely to be true
- incredibleDefying easy belief
- unimaginableBeyond mental conception
- preposterousCompletely contrary to reason
- far-fetchedUnconvincingly unlikely or strained
absurd · outlandish · fantastical · improbable · unlikely · dubious · questionable · unconvincing
Beyond comprehension or measurement
- unthinkableToo terrible to contemplate
- mind-bogglingOverwhelmingly difficult to grasp
- inexplicableCannot be accounted for
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
baffling · mystifying · perplexing · enigmatic · puzzling · confounding · bewildering · impenetrable
Too terrible to contemplate
- unconscionableMorally unacceptable, beyond reason
- outrageousShockingly bad or excessive
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
horrifying · scandalous · monstrous · beyond the pale · unheard of · egregious · atrocious · unforgivable
Impossible to acquire
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
- unfeasibleNot capable of execution
- impracticableImpossible to implement
- insurmountableImpossible to overcome
unrealizable · unworkable · hopeless · undoable · out of reach · insuperable · unobtainable · ruled out
implausible
Unlikely to be true
- incredibleDefying easy belief
- unimaginableBeyond mental conception
- preposterousCompletely contrary to reason
far-fetched · absurd · outlandish · fantastical · improbable · unlikely · dubious · questionable · unconvincing · suspect
unfathomable
Beyond comprehension or measurement
- unthinkableToo terrible to contemplate
- mind-bogglingOverwhelmingly difficult to grasp
- inexplicableCannot be accounted for
inscrutable · baffling · mystifying · perplexing · enigmatic · puzzling · confounding · bewildering · impenetrable · opaque
unthinkable
Too terrible to contemplate
- unconscionableMorally unacceptable, beyond reason
- outrageousShockingly bad or excessive
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
unspeakable · horrifying · scandalous · monstrous · beyond the pale · unheard of · egregious · atrocious · unforgivable · intolerable
unattainable
Impossible to acquire
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
- unfeasibleNot capable of execution
- impracticableImpossible to implement
insurmountable · unrealizable · unworkable · hopeless · undoable · out of reach · insuperable · unobtainable · ruled out · unviable
- Unlikelyunlikely, improbable, doubtful, dubious, remote
- disbeliefdisbelief, no way, incredulity, unbelievable, yeah right
- unbelievableunbelievable, incredible, implausible, unthinkable, unimaginable
- The Princess BrideWestley, Buttercup, Inigo Montoya, as you wish, battle of wits
- chancechance, luck, lottery, dice, randomness
- beyond reachunattainable, unreachable, inaccessible, out of bounds, elusive
inconceivableconceivable
Able to be imagined
imaginable · thinkable · fathomable · comprehensible · graspable
inconceivablebelievable
Able to convince
credible · plausible · convincing · reasonable · likely