inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl How to pronounce inexplicable (audio) (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli- How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
Synonyms of inexplicablenext
: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
an inexplicable disappearance
inexplicability
ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-
noun
inexplicableness
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
noun
inexplicably
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
adverb

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
The decline, across the board, was almost inexplicable last season. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 29 July 2025 The idea that this is how someone responds to pretty basic requests is sort of inexplicable. — Marina Watts, People.com, 21 July 2025 But when quantum materials began to surprise physicists with inexplicable behaviors, physicists in the 1980s realized that some of the behaviors could be explained by a material’s wave function traveling around a curved shape. — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 6 June 2025 In a surprising and inexplicable way, as takeoffs and landings ceased, the feverish activity that airport grass hides under its seemingly peaceful surface came to a screeching halt. — Fabio Morábito, New Yorker, 24 July 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

Rhymes for inexplicable

See All Rhymes for inexplicable

Browse Nearby Words

inexplainable
inexplicable
inexplicit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inexplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexplicable. Accessed 11 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

inexplicable

adjective
in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈsplik-ə-bəl How to pronounce inexplicable (audio) (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)splik- How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
: impossible to explain
an inexplicable mystery
inexplicability
ˌin-ik-ˌsplik-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
(ˌ)in-ˌek-(ˌ)splik-
noun
inexplicably
-blē How to pronounce inexplicable (audio)
adverb

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Nglish: Translation of inexplicable for Spanish Speakers

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