inexplicable

[in-ek-spli-kuh-buhl, in-ik-splik-uh-buhl] / ɪnˈɛk splɪ kə bəl, ˌɪn ɪkˈsplɪk ə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

beyond comprehension, explanation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling incomprehensible mysterious mystifying odd peculiar puzzling strange unaccountable unfathomable

WEAK

enigmatic indecipherable indescribable inexplainable inscrutable insoluble obscure undefinable unexplainable unintelligible unsolvable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

comprehensible explainable fathomable intelligible normal regular standard understandable usual

WEAK

comprehendible explicable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But here in Southern California, something more is in the air: a dense, motionless tsunami of something foul and inexplicable.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Rosa Padhilete, a Franciscan nun who came from Naples, said she felt an "immense, inexplicable joy" seeing the remains.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

For a confused college football fan trying to explain the inexplicable, there is a common thread running through all of the weekend’s upsets: the transfer portal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Today, I bring your attention to the Colorado Supreme Court, which this month reaffirmed an inexplicable quirk of its excessive sentencing jurisprudence that preemptively extinguishes constitutional rights for entire categories of people.

From Slate • Dec. 29, 2025

All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Vocabulary lists containing inexplicable

A Christmas Carol

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List 5

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The Scarlet Letter

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