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 inexplicable
: 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 of inexplicable

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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 film fails to convey the fearsome, inexplicable beauty that Herzog clearly sees (or perhaps once saw) in this story. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 What will happen to the stage where Elvis’s swiveling pelvis was kept demurely out of frame, where the Beatles made their American debut, where Jackie Mason may or may not have flipped the bird at the host, where Topo Gigio found inexplicable fame? — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 As the 2026 Major League Baseball season somehow draws to a close, one of the most bizarre and inexplicable stories is the saga of Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Then again, so is this inexplicable two-and-a-half-year stretch of low-risk, juiceless attacking hockey that Pettersson has just endured. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 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

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Browse Nearby Words

inexplicability
inexplicable
inexplicit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inexplicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexplicable. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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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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