Definitions

unknowable

[uhn-noh-uh-buhl] / ʌnˈnoʊ ə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

arcane

Synonyms

STRONGEST

esoteric impenetrable

WEAK

cabalistic mysterious mystic occult recondite unaccountable

Antonyms

WEAK

common commonplace known normal outward

ADJECTIVE

impenetrable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arcane baffling inexplicable inscrutable mysterious unaccountable unfathomable unintelligible

WEAK

Delphic cabalistic dark enigmatic enigmatical hidden incognizable indiscernible mystic obscure sibylline ungraspable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear comprehensible explainable explicable intelligible known obvious plain

WEAK

penetrable permeable porous soft thin understandable

ADJECTIVE

incomprehensible

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling impenetrable inconceivable mystifying opaque puzzling unfathomable unimaginable unintelligible

WEAK

Delphic beats me beyond comprehension beyond one's grasp clear as mud cryptic enigmatic fathomless incognizable inscrutable mysterious obscure over one's head perplexing sibylline unclear ungraspable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

believable clear comprehensible fathomable imaginable intelligible understandable

ADJECTIVE

inconceivable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

extraordinary implausible impossible improbable incredible mind-boggling strange unbelievable unheard-of unimaginable unthinkable

WEAK

fantastic incogitable incomprehensible insupposable phony rare reachy staggering thin unconvincing unlikely unsubstantial weak won't fly won't wash

Antonyms

STRONGEST

believable common credible familiar likely normal plausible possible reasonable tenable usual

WEAK

conceivable fathomable imaginable

ADJECTIVE

inscrutable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

enigmatic impenetrable incomprehensible unfathomable unintelligible

WEAK

ambiguous arcane cabalistic deadpan difficult inexplicable mysterial mystic poker-faced secret sphinxlike unaccountable undiscoverable unexplainable unreadable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear comprehensible fathomable intelligible understandable

WEAK

evident obvious plain

ADJECTIVE

mysterious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling cryptic curious dark enigmatic inexplicable inscrutable magical mystical mystifying obscure perplexing puzzling secretive strange unknown weird

WEAK

abstruse alchemistic arcane astrological cabalistic covert difficult eldritch enigmatical equivocal esoteric furtive hidden impenetrable incomprehensible insoluble necromantic occult oracular recondite sphinxlike spiritual subjective symbolic transcendental uncanny unfathomable unnatural veiled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

apparent bright clear comprehendible comprehensible evident familiar intelligible known normal obvious plain regular usual visible

WEAK

public straightforward tangible unmysterious

ADJECTIVE

mystic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

mystical otherworldly supernatural

STRONG

imaginary magic occult spiritual visionary

WEAK

abstruse anagogic arcane cabalistic cryptic enigmatical esoteric hidden impenetrable inscrutable magical metaphysical mysterial mysterious necromantic nonrational numinous paranormal preternatural quixotic sorcerous telestic thaumaturgic transcendental unaccountable witchlike wizardly

Antonyms

STRONG

physical real

ADJECTIVE

mystic/mystical

Synonyms

WEAK

abstruse anagogic arcane cabalistic cryptic enigmatical hidden imaginary impenetrable inscrutable magic magical metaphysical mysterial mysterious necromantic nonrational numinous occult otherworldly paranormal preternatural quixotic sorcerous spiritual supernatural telestic thaumaturgic transcendental unaccountable visionary wizardly

Antonyms

WEAK

knowable natural palpable undisguised

ADJECTIVE

mystifying

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling cryptic equivocal esoteric incomprehensible inexplicable inscrutable magical perplexing puzzling secretive subjective unnatural

STRONG

hidden obscure occult veiled

WEAK

abstruse alchemistic arcane astrological cabalistic covert curious dark difficult enigmatic enigmatical furtive impenetrable insoluble mystic mystical necromantic oracular recondite sphinxlike spiritual strange symbolic transcendental uncanny unfathomable unknown weird

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear comprehendible comprehensible intelligible obvious plain understandable

STRONG

known

ADJECTIVE

supernatural

Synonyms

STRONGEST

celestial fairy ghostly heavenly metaphysical miraculous mythical psychic superhuman uncanny

STRONG

dark eldritch mystic occult phantom secret superior unknown

WEAK

abnormal concealed fabulous hidden impenetrable invisible legendary mythological numinous obscure paranormal phenomenal preternatural rare spectral supermundane superordinary supranatural transcendental uncomprehensible unearthly unfathomable unintelligible unnatural unrevealed unusual

Antonyms

STRONGEST

earthly hellish usual

STRONG

known

WEAK

existent genuine natural real true

ADJECTIVE

superphysical

Synonyms

WEAK

abnormal celestial concealed dark extramundane extrasensory fabulous fairy ghostly heavenly hidden impenetrable invisible legendary metaphysical miraculous mystic mythical mythological numinous obscure occult paranormal phantom phenomenal preternatural psychic rare secret spectral superhuman superior supermundane superordinary supersensible supranatural transcendental uncanny uncomprehensible unearthly unfathomable unintelligible unknown unnatural unrevealed unusual

ADJECTIVE

supersensible

Synonyms

WEAK

abnormal celestial concealed dark extramundane extrasensory fabulous fairy ghostly heavenly hidden impenetrable invisible legendary metaphysical miraculous mystic mythical mythological numinous obscure occult paranormal phantom phenomenal preternatural psychic rare secret spectral superhuman superior supermundane superordinary superphysical supranatural transcendental uncanny uncomprehensible unearthly unfathomable unintelligible unknown unnatural unrevealed unusual

ADJECTIVE

unaccountable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arcane impenetrable inexplicable unfathomable unheard-of unintelligible

WEAK

astonishing baffling extraordinary incomprehensible inscrutable mystic odd peculiar puzzling strange uncommon unexplainable unusual unwonted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

comprehensible explainable explicable intelligible normal understandable

WEAK

accountable responsible

ADJECTIVE

uncomprehensible

Synonyms

WEAK

Delphic baffling beats me beyond comprehension beyond one's grasp clear as mud cryptic enigmatic fathomless impenetrable incognizable inconceivable inscrutable mysterious mystifying obscure opaque over one's head perplexing puzzling sibylline unclear unfathomable ungraspable unimaginable unintelligible

ADJECTIVE

unfathomable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling impenetrable incomprehensible indecipherable inexplicable

WEAK

abstruse clear as mud deep enigmatic esoteric heavy incognizable obscure profound too deep uncomprehensible ungraspable unintelligible

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear comprehensible intelligible understandable

WEAK

believable explainable explicable fathomable

ADJECTIVE

unforeseeable

Synonyms

WEAK

capricious chance chancy changeable fluky from left field incalculable random uncertain unexpected

ADJECTIVE

unimaginable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

extraordinary fantastic impossible improbable incomprehensible inconceivable incredible indescribable rare singular unbelievable uncommon unheard-of unique unthinkable

WEAK

beyond wildest dreams doubtful exceptional inapprehensible incogitable ineffable not understandable unordinary

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad believable common commonplace conceivable credible customary familiar fathomable normal ordinary plausible poor possible reasonable regular tenable usual

WEAK

describable imaginable

ADJECTIVE

unintelligible

Synonyms

STRONGEST

illegible impenetrable incomprehensible indecipherable meaningless opaque unfathomable vague

WEAK

ambiguous equivocal fathomless inarticulate incognizable incoherent indistinct inexplicit jumbled muddled obscure tenebrous uncertain unclear unexplicit ungraspable unreadable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear comprehensible decipherable fathomable intelligible understandable

WEAK

meaningful

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, as Tate Britain’s concurrent “Turner and Constable” exhibition shows, Romantic nature was passionate and unstable, and all the more precious for being unknowable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

As he explains to Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck, A.I. is a hyperobject that touches everything in unknowable ways.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2026

The river, at times hauntingly beautiful and others murky and unknowable, offers a mirror to Daniel's torment, and to the increasingly fragile hope of his wife, Agnieszka, that Chris will one day come home.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

The big question is somewhat unknowable — 20% of what?

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

Sometimes, I think everyone is like the people in that painting, everyone lost in their own private universes of pain or sorrow or guilt, everyone remote and unknowable.

From "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz

unknowable

Example Sentences

Related Words