: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
an inexplicable disappearance
inexplicably adverb

Examples of inexplicable in a Sentence

He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents. an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning
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.
These are the people who, for some inexplicable reason, will park right next to you, even though there are hundreds of open spaces in the parking lot. Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025 Leno has generally been good this season but was comically poor in this one, a poor pass to Pereira followed by an inexplicable howler. Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 These were really dramatic, inexplicable, but occasional events. Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025 There are a handful of grand gestures thrown in for good measure, from recurring comic bits (the associate principal has a bad habit of getting nosebleeds at the worst possible moment) to not one but two inexplicable interpretive-dance vignettes. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inexplicable 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inexplicabilis, from in- + explicabilis explicable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inexplicable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inexplicable

Cite this Entry

“Inexplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexplicable. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

: impossible to explain
an inexplicable mystery

More from Merriam-Webster on inexplicable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!