Spanish word

impensable

Pronunciation

IPA/impenˈsaβle/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunthinkable

Example

Es impensable creer eso.

It is unthinkable to believe such a thing.

Illustration for impensable (unthinkable)

More examples

Sería impensable perder esta oportunidad.

It would be unthinkable to lose this opportunity.

Core concept

An unimaginable or outrageously improbable event.

Common phrases

  • sería impensable

    would be unthinkable

  • me parece impensable

    It seems unthinkable to me

  • un riesgo impensable

    an unthinkable risk

Similar words

increíble: So astonishing that it is hard to believe.
inimaginable: Beyond the bounds of imagination, impossible to picture mentally.
inconcebible: So contrary to reason or common sense that it cannot be conceived as possible.
inverosímil: Lacking plausibility or credibility, unlikely to actually occur.

Definition in Spanish

Que no se puede concebir mentalmente por ser extraordinario, inaceptable o muy improbable.

Word origin

Built from Latin in- 'not' plus pensare 'to think or consider', entering Spanish as impensable to label things that cannot be conceived mentally.

Usage tips

  • Often used in constructions like es impensable que + [subjunctive], and speakers frequently replace it with increíble or imposible in informal contexts.

Other meanings

  • unimaginableadjective
  • unbelievableadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word