untellable
Cannot be spoken
Untellable describes something that cannot be told or communicated adequately in words.
A story may be untellable because it's too painful, too complex, or simply beyond language: Some griefs are untellable.
The word also applies to secrets that must remain unspoken: There were untellable things between them.
Cannot be put into words
- ineffableBeyond verbal expression
- unsayableImpossible to articulate
- unutterableImpossible to express verbally
- wordlessLacking spoken content
incommunicable · inarticulate · unspoken · indefinable · indescribable · nameless · unnameable · inarticulable
Beyond verbal expression
- unthinkableToo terrible to contemplate
- atrociousAppallingly, shockingly wicked
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
- monstrousFrighteningly huge or wicked
nightmarish · appalling · dreadful · ghastly · abominable · harrowing · traumatic · gut-wrenching
Not allowed
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
restricted · off-limits · hushed · suppressed · concealed · private · guarded · sworn
Beyond comprehension or measurement
- impenetrableImpossible to pass through
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- enigmaticPuzzling and obscure
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
elusive · cryptic · opaque · inexplicable · unknowable · baffling · puzzling · arcane
inexpressible
Cannot be put into words
- ineffableBeyond verbal expression
- unsayableImpossible to articulate
- unutterableImpossible to express verbally
wordless · incommunicable · inarticulate · unspoken · indefinable · indescribable · nameless · unnameable · inarticulable · unexpressible
unspeakable
Beyond verbal expression
- unthinkableToo terrible to contemplate
- atrociousAppallingly, shockingly wicked
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
monstrous · nightmarish · appalling · dreadful · ghastly · abominable · harrowing · traumatic · gut-wrenching · unbearable
forbidden
Not allowed
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
classified · restricted · off-limits · hushed · suppressed · concealed · private · guarded · sworn · privileged
unfathomable
Beyond comprehension or measurement
- impenetrableImpossible to pass through
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- enigmaticPuzzling and obscure
mysterious · elusive · cryptic · opaque · inexplicable · unknowable · baffling · puzzling · arcane · abstract
untellabletellable
Fit to recount
expressible · describable · utterable · articulable · sayable
untellabletellable
Fit to recount
relatable · recountable · shareable · reportable · publishable
tell, telling, teller, retell, untold, telltale, storytelling, tellingly, telltales