inexplicable
adjective
in·ex·pli·ca·ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl 
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli- : incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
an inexplicable disappearance
inexplicability
ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun (ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-
inexplicableness
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs
noun (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
inexplicably
ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē
adverb (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-
Synonyms
- inexplainable
- unaccountable
- unexplainable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents. an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning
Recent Examples on the Web And after spending three months caught up in Katie’s impetuous and seemingly inexplicable behavior, Stefan suspects Katie absolutely might be capable of murder. 
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 His kinetic sculptures are often inexplicable at first glance, with an ever-present wood crank tempting the viewer to wake them from their sleep. Pat Mcdonogh, The Courier-Journal, 12 Jan. 2022 Trump and his lawyers, for some inexplicable reason, apparently held some back. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 16 Aug. 2022 For some inexplicable reason, though, a single block is missing from a sewer section in Level 3, making an otherwise trivial gap impossible to clear. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 21 June 2022 Kavala’s wife, Ayse Bugra, described his imprisonment as inexplicable. Andrew Wilks, ajc, 25 Oct. 2021 The newest entry is Predator at its best, in an exceptional survival tale reflecting a people’s myths and legends seemingly confirmed by the arrival of the inexplicable. Mark Hughes, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 In retrospect, was the ECB moderating a truly inexplicable rise in Italian borrowing costs in late spring? The Editorial Board, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 The implosion of the group’s California dream, seemingly the only thing keeping them going after such an inexplicable tragedy, introduces a new kind of movement to the show that keeps it from becoming too much of a Season 1 retread. Caroline Framke, Variety, 1 Aug. 2022 See More
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 His kinetic sculptures are often inexplicable at first glance, with an ever-present wood crank tempting the viewer to wake them from their sleep. Pat Mcdonogh, The Courier-Journal, 12 Jan. 2022 Trump and his lawyers, for some inexplicable reason, apparently held some back. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 16 Aug. 2022 For some inexplicable reason, though, a single block is missing from a sewer section in Level 3, making an otherwise trivial gap impossible to clear. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 21 June 2022 Kavala’s wife, Ayse Bugra, described his imprisonment as inexplicable. Andrew Wilks, ajc, 25 Oct. 2021 The newest entry is Predator at its best, in an exceptional survival tale reflecting a people’s myths and legends seemingly confirmed by the arrival of the inexplicable. Mark Hughes, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 In retrospect, was the ECB moderating a truly inexplicable rise in Italian borrowing costs in late spring? The Editorial Board, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 The implosion of the group’s California dream, seemingly the only thing keeping them going after such an inexplicable tragedy, introduces a new kind of movement to the show that keeps it from becoming too much of a Season 1 retread. Caroline Framke, Variety, 1 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin inexplicabilis, from in- + explicabilis explicable
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
inexplicable
adjective
in·ex·pli·ca·ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl
i-ˈnek-spli-
: impossible to explain or account for
an inexplicable mystery
inexplicableness
noun
as in unintelligibleness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unintelligibleness
- inexplicability
- equivocalness
- unintelligibility
- unanswerability
- ambiguity
- incomprehensibility
- equivocality
- shadowiness
- hermetism
- vagueness
- unknowability
- abstrusity
- murkiness
- abstruseness
- inscrutableness
- esotericism
- profundity
- reconditeness
- impenetrability
- uncanniness
- numinousness
- darkness
- inscrutability
- deepness
- mysteriousness
- obscurity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- intelligibility
- transparency
- clarity
- understandability
- straightforwardness
- plainness
- self-evidence
- obviousness