unspeakable
/ n'spi:k bl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Too sacred or terrible to be spoken: Something so extreme in nature (either extremely holy or extremely awful) that it cannot or should not be expressed in words.
- Exceptionally bad or unpleasant: Used to describe something of a very low, shocking, or offensive quality.
- Beyond description: Something so intense (in a positive or negative sense) that it defies adequate expression.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- The survivors witnessed unspeakable horrors during the war. (Describing acts too terrible to describe fully.)
- She felt an unspeakable joy at the news of her son's safe return. (Describing a happiness too profound for words.)
- The room was filled with an unspeakable odor after the experiment failed. (Describing a very bad smell.)
Advanced Usage
- "the unspeakable": Used as a noun to refer collectively to things that are too awful to mention.
- We must guard against the unspeakable happening again.
- "unspeakably" (adverb): In a manner that is beyond description.
- The view from the summit was unspeakably beautiful.
Variants and Related Words
- Inexpressible (adj): Incapable of being expressed or described in words. Often used for strong emotions.
- Unutterable (adj): Impossible to utter or express verbally; very great. Similar to "unspeakable."
- Ineffable (adj): Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words. Often carries a connotation of being sacred or awe-inspiring.
Synonyms
- Indescribable: Cannot be described.
- Abominable: Very bad or unpleasant.
- Dreadful: Causing great fear or suffering; very bad.
- Inexpressible: Incapable of being expressed.
Antonyms
- Expressible: Capable of being expressed.
- Mundane: Lacking interest or excitement; ordinary.
- Bearable: Able to be endured.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Lost for words": Unable to speak due to strong emotion, which can be caused by something (either wonderful or terrible).
- The beauty of the scene left me utterly lost for words.
- "Beyond words": Too extreme to be described. This phrase is a direct conceptual synonym for the descriptive sense of .
- Her generosity was simply beyond words.
Adjective
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too sacred to be uttered
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the ineffable name of the Deity
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exceptionally bad or displeasing
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atrocious taste
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abominable workmanship
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an awful voice
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dreadful manners
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a painful performance
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terrible handwriting
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an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
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defying expression or description
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indefinable yearnings
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indescribable beauty
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ineffable ecstasy
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inexpressible anguish
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unspeakable happiness
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unutterable contempt
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a thing of untellable splendor
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