Master confusing words with ease
Inconceivable vs. Unthinkable
Inconceivable
/ˌɪnkənˈsiːvəbəl/Examples:
The complexity of space travel is inconceivable to most.Her skills in chess are inconceivable to her peers.An inconceivable chain of events led to his unexpected win.
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Unthinkable
/ʌnˈθɪŋkəbəl/Examples:
To climb that summit alone was once unthinkable.The idea of peace seemed unthinkable in those times.Building a city underwater remains largely unthinkable.
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Ways to tell them apart:
- Inconceivable often conveys a stronger sense of disbelief than unthinkable.
- Unthinkable can imply something is not likely to happen, but not impossible, whereas inconceivable suggests it can't even be imagined.
- Think of inconceivable as beyond imagination because its not possible, and unthinkable as beyond consideration because its highly undesirable.
- Inconceivable can be used in more abstract contexts where something defies logic or understanding.
- Unthinkable is often used in moral or ethical contexts, where a situation or action is shocking or unreasonable.
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