as in ambiguous
not able to be known
No matter how far science advances, some things about the world will always remain unknown and unknowable. If passed, this law will have unknowable consequences.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unknowable
The Great War, however, turned death into something sudden, cruel and unknowable, as young men—often barely into adulthood—were slaughtered on the front line, their deaths reported to their families days or weeks later.
—
Alice Vernon
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
That the real Kelley was married during this period is never mentioned (Kelley, in many ways, is wholly unknowable to us).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
The future is unknowable, but it is guaranteed to bring more hurricanes and other large-scale challenges that must be met collectively.
—Chloe Demrovsky, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The consequences of the AI boom are likely irreversible, and the future is certainly unknowable.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknowable
Alice Vernon
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
That the real Kelley was married during this period is never mentioned (Kelley, in many ways, is wholly unknowable to us).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
The future is unknowable, but it is guaranteed to bring more hurricanes and other large-scale challenges that must be met collectively.
—Chloe Demrovsky, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The consequences of the AI boom are likely irreversible, and the future is certainly unknowable.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unknowable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowable
Adjective
-
According to the institute statement, which remained ambiguous about the mosquito’s permanence, the insect probably arrived via freight transportation.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps its message is meant to be deliberately ambiguous—or maybe there’s no message at all.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In a decadent Venetian hotel, androgynous Eva is drawn to the mysterious Contessa.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
-
When a mysterious prankster befalls the town of Middlesburg, 13-year-old Frances McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for the mischief.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Some use protocols that are not designed to protect privacy, obscure ownership or fail to encrypt traffic properly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The jokes about gallon jars of mayonnaise perhaps obscure the company’s true power.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mia Wasikowska plays Edith, an heiress who marries a seductive baron, Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), and moves into his enormous, decaying mansion — which is also inhabited by Thomas' enigmatic sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain).—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Brides finds Sally Bishop (Cooke) and her husband on a trip to Northern Italy in 1961, where they get stranded at a remote villa run by the enigmatic Vova (Lawtey), who presides over a household of beautiful, deathless women (Turner-Smith, Prettejohn) and their caretaker (Gorman).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Akheem Mesidor’s status uncertain Those wanting to know more about Hurricanes edge rusher Akheem Mesidor’s status for Saturday’s game against Stanford will have to wait a little bit longer.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Major deals now feature 20-30 year funding horizons—extraordinary bets on technologies whose commercial viability five years from now remains uncertain.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Philadelphia 76ers' immediate and medium-term future looked murky coming into this season.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Still, Kenya’s longer-term political outlook just got a lot murkier, as the scramble to win over Odinga’s supporters will intensify in the months ahead.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Her motive for abandoning her daughter is unclear at this time.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
If the answers are unclear or the topic changes, walk away immediately.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknowable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowable. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share