thinkable

adjective

think·​able ˈthiŋ-kə-bəl How to pronounce thinkable (audio)
Synonyms of thinkablenext
1
: conceivably possible
a time when divorce was barely thinkable
2
: capable of being comprehended or reasoned about
the ultimate nature of Deity is scarcely thinkable
thinkableness noun
thinkably
ˈthiŋ-kə-blē How to pronounce thinkable (audio)
adverb

Examples of thinkable in a Sentence

They divorced during a time when that was barely thinkable.
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.
And that would not have been thinkable 10 years ago. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026 This was even less thinkable than giving birth to it. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 With each new first, others become thinkable. — Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026 This bet-the-business kind of change would not previously have been thinkable. — Glenn Katz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thinkable

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of thinkable was in 1764

Rhymes for thinkable

See All Rhymes for thinkable

Browse Nearby Words

think
thinkable
think again
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thinkable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thinkable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thinkable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thinkable

Nglish: Translation of thinkable for Spanish Speakers

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