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.

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

The report said the "lack of urgency" on the part of all four governments in the early part of 2020 was "inexplicable".

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

And still there were those inexplicable times when Malfoy simply vanished from the map...

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Vocabulary lists containing inexplicable

A Christmas Carol

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

List 5

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The Scarlet Letter

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!