ungraspable
Cannot be held
Something ungraspable cannot be held onto or fully comprehended.
The word applies literally to physical objects that slip away or elude the hand, but more often describes abstract things—concepts, meanings, truths—that resist full understanding: The nature of consciousness remains ungraspable.
She had an ungraspable quality that made her fascinating.
Beyond verbal expression
- incomprehensibleImpossible to understand
- inconceivableBeyond mental grasp
- unfathomableBeyond comprehension or measurement
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
impenetrable · paradox · infinity · eternity · consciousness · qualia · nothingness · transcendence
Impossible to understand
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
- confoundingCausing surprise or confusion
impenetrable · opaque · cryptic · enigmatic · arcane · abstruse · esoteric · unknowable
Passing very quickly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- vanishingCeasing to be visible
slipping · escaping · receding · dissolving · fading · mercurial · quicksilver · will-o-wisp
Hard to find
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- wrigglingTwisting with short movements
- squirmingTwisting restlessly from discomfort
- slitheringSmooth limbless locomotion
eel-like · wet · soapy · greased · lubricated · sliding · escaping · uncatchable
Not made of matter
- immaterialLacking physical form; unimportant
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
- impalpableUnable to be touched
- nonphysicalNot of matter
bodiless · formless · ethereal · spectral · ghostly · spirit · essence · aura
ineffable
Beyond verbal expression
- incomprehensibleImpossible to understand
- inconceivableBeyond mental grasp
- unfathomableBeyond comprehension or measurement
inscrutable · impenetrable · paradox · infinity · eternity · consciousness · qualia · nothingness · transcendence · sublime
baffling
Impossible to understand
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
confounding · impenetrable · opaque · cryptic · enigmatic · arcane · abstruse · esoteric · unknowable · inexplicable
fleeting
Passing very quickly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
vanishing · slipping · escaping · receding · dissolving · fading · mercurial · quicksilver · will-o-wisp · mirage
elusive
Hard to find
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- wrigglingTwisting with short movements
- squirmingTwisting restlessly from discomfort
slithering · eel-like · wet · soapy · greased · lubricated · sliding · escaping · uncatchable · fumbled
incorporeal
Not made of matter
- immaterialLacking physical form; unimportant
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
- impalpableUnable to be touched
nonphysical · bodiless · formless · ethereal · spectral · ghostly · spirit · essence · aura · presence
- water qualitiesmurky, taste, odor, color, fresh
- inaccessibleinaccessible, unreachable, out of reach, unobtainable, unattainable
ungraspablecomprehensible
Able to be understood
understandable · graspable · fathomable · intelligible · clear
grasp, grasping, grasped, graspable, grasper, graspers, regrasped