the unthinkable

noun

: something that one cannot accept, believe, or imagine

especially : something that is so bad that one does not want to think about it

And then, the unthinkable happened: the car skidded out of control and crashed.

Examples of the unthinkable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Jewish people have endured the unthinkable many times in their history. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Abby is introduced as Lizzie’s cruel stepmother, whose constant critiques and belittling remarks push her to do the unthinkable. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

In the film, starring Jella Haase, Frida-Lovisa Hamann, Clemens Schick and Lukas Miko, mass panic ensues and the unthinkable happens. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Now, Ortiz, 36, stands accused of attempting the unthinkable. — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the unthinkable

• thinkable