unbelievable

adjective

un·​be·​liev·​able ˌən-bə-ˈlē-və-bəl How to pronounce unbelievable (audio)
: too improbable for belief
the plot is unreal and unbelievable
also : of such a superlative degree as to be hard to believe
the destruction was unbelievable
made an unbelievable catch in center field
unbelievably adverb

Examples of unbelievable in a Sentence

a completely unbelievable story about why there was lipstick on his collar
Recent Examples on the Web Was the unbelievable prosperity of the industrialized world inevitable? The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024 Her years of training and practice have resulted in an unbelievable ‘capture your heart’ experience for audiences. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 There are button-down shirts, billowy dresses, flowy pants, pull-on shorts, comfy shoes, and even travel-ready bags with unbelievable price reductions that are selling out fast. Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2024 Fran is a bit like Biblical Job: she’s got a dying sister with two children, and before the play’s end more awful and unbelievable contingencies come flying into her life like a plague of locusts. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 This motley crew of lawyers from idealistic rookies to cynical veterans promises a delightful blend of humor, heart, and legal jargon, drawing inspiration from real-life strange and unbelievable cases. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Billie Holiday’s story, her voice, her courage — so unbelievable. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024 Yet no words can do justice to the unbelievable spiritual uprising of those days. TIME, 2 Mar. 2024 In addition to its business class accolades (including its unbelievable business class lounges), it's also been awarded World’s Best Airline three of the last five years. Lela London, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unbelievable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unbelievable was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near unbelievable

Cite this Entry

“Unbelievable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unbelievable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unbelievable

adjective
un·​be·​liev·​able ˌən-bə-ˈlē-və-bəl How to pronounce unbelievable (audio)
1
: too unlikely for belief
an unbelievable story
2
: very significant or impressive
made an unbelievable catch in center field
unbelievably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unbelievable

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